(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern about a blast that shook the headquarters of the state television company in Tbilisi on the evening of 3 December 2003. The explosion caused damage but no injuries and did not interrupt broadcasts. “We call on the authorities to carry out a rapid and effective investigation to avoid creating […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern about a blast that shook the headquarters of the state television company in Tbilisi on the evening of 3 December 2003. The explosion caused damage but no injuries and did not interrupt broadcasts.
“We call on the authorities to carry out a rapid and effective investigation to avoid creating a climate of impunity that could encourage more attacks against the news media in the run-up to the presidential election of 4 January,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said.
State Prosecutor Nugazar Gabrichidze described the explosion as a terrorist act and said an investigation was underway.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Nika Laliachvili said the size of the charge was equivalent to about 300 grammes of TNT. She said an anonymous telephone call was received after the blast in which the caller said, “This is just the beginning. We are going to blow up the whole building.”
Interior Minister Giorgy Baramidze said the attack should be viewed as an attempt to increase tension before the presidential election.
