Georgia: Accountability needed for violent attacks on government critics
“A pattern of harassment and intimidation of activists, independent media, and government critics, if left unpunished, risks emboldening malicious actors to escalate violence in the months before Georgia’s upcoming elections” – HRW
Georgia: Release Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov and stop his extradition to Azerbaijan
Afgan Sadygov moved to Georgia seven months ago to escape persecution by the authorities in his own country, where he has been arrested several times on various dubious charges.
Georgia: Parliament overturns presidential veto, adopts ‘foreign agents’ law
“The ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to push through Kremlin-inspired ‘foreign agents’ legislation makes it clear that the party wants to ensure its victory in October parliamentary elections by using the law to smear and suppress critical voices” – CPJ
Georgia: Parliament adopts “foreign agents” law despite mass protests
The police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and mass arrests against the protesters. There have also been reports of physical attacks on government critics and their family members.
Georgian PM urged to withdraw Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, guarantee the safety of journalists, and uphold press freedom
IFEX joins the members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response and other organisations in expressing deep alarm about the Foreign Influence Bill and the sudden rise in violence and other restrictions against Georgia’s journalists reporting on the public protests against the Bill.
Tens of thousands of Georgians protest the “foreign agents” bill
“The revival of restrictive legislation against NGOs is part of a larger pattern of assault against a broad range of human rights in Georgia.”
Georgia: Police assault at least 4 journalists covering ‘foreign agents’ bill protests
The Georgian Parliament should reject the ‘foreign agents’ bill. The authorities should also investigate allegations of police brutality against journalists and hold those responsible accountable – CPJ
Georgia: Ruling party reintroduces ‘foreign agents’ law to parliament
“Georgian authorities’ revival of a bill that would smear media outlets as foreign-controlled is deeply concerning and utterly incompatible with their claim of aligning with European democratic standards” – CPJ
Two exiled Russian journalists reportedly poisoned
“German and Georgian authorities should treat these allegations with the utmost seriousness and do all they can to safeguard the lives of journalists living in exile” – CPJ
Rights groups call on Georgia to release journalist Nika Gvaramia from prison
A well-known critic of Georgia’s ruling party, Gvaramia is currently serving a 3.5 year sentence for alleged abuse of office. His prosecution and conviction were widely seen as politically motivated.
Georgia: New draft law on ‘foreign agents’
Under the new draft law, any organisation receiving over 20% of its income from a “foreign power” will have to register on a “Foreign Influence Agents Registry” or face fines of up to € 8,900.
26 anti-LGBTQI+ protesters convicted over 2021 attack on journalists
On 5 July 2021, hundreds of anti-LGBTQI+ protesters attacked more than 50 journalists covering a pride march in Tbilisi. Twenty-five of those attackers were handed prison sentences on 4 April 2022; another was fined.
Georgia: Journalist dies six days after being attacked by anti-LGBTQI+ thugs
“Instead of trying to discredit the late cameraman, we demand that the Interior Ministry launch an in-depth, impartial and transparent investigation of the circumstances of his death and of the attacks suffered by journalists whom the police failed to protect.”
Over 40 journalists attacked while reporting on anti-Pride protests in Georgia
Eight media workers were hospitalised in Tblisi after far-right demonstrators attacked journalists and TV crews. Sticks and bottles were thrown and equipment belonging to TV stations was stolen or damaged.