(CPJ/IFEX) – On 23 September 1998, CPJ expressed alarm at the 12 September 1998 beating of chief editor Lasha Nadareishvili and correspondent David Okropiridze of the popular independent weekly “Asaval-Dasavali”. The journalists were attacked by a group of five or six unidentified armed men at around 10 p.m. on a street corner in front of […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 23 September 1998, CPJ expressed alarm at the 12 September
1998 beating of chief editor Lasha Nadareishvili and correspondent David
Okropiridze of the popular independent weekly “Asaval-Dasavali”.
The journalists were attacked by a group of five or six unidentified armed
men at around 10 p.m. on a street corner in front of their newspaperâs
offices in central Tbilisi. The attackers remained silent as they punched
and kicked the editor and reporter, striking Okropidze in the head with a
gun handle. Both were treated at a hospital for injuries. Neither of the
journalists was robbed.
Nadareishvili and his staff believe the assault was in reprisal for their
work, although they have no clues as to the identity of the assailants. The
staff of “Asaval-Dasavali” has periodically received threatening phone calls
after publishing exposés and articles critical of figures and forces across
the political spectrum, from the government to the opposition.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President of Georgia:
retribution for their work
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other agreements,
to ensure that journalists may freely and safely practice their profession
found responsible
Appeals To
His Excellency Eduard Shevardnadze
President of Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
Fax: +99 532 99 92 00
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
