Tbilisi

Since November 28, 2024, 97 incidents have been reported in which journalists were injured, detained, or obstructed while covering pro-European protests in cities across Georgia. These incidents include physical and verbal abuse, detentions, confiscation of equipment, and damage to property.

According to journalists, members of the Special Tasks Department intentionally targeted them, damaging equipment and directing tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons at them.

In some instances, journalists were attacked by unidentified individuals who inflicted injuries or seized and damaged their equipment.

According to publicly available information:

December 17

On December 17, during a protest near the Parliament Building in Tbilisi, a TV Pirveli crew—journalist Nanuka Kajaia and cameraman Niko Kokaia—was verbally abused by a man in civilian clothing. The man threatened them, saying, ‘I’ll throw this glass at you,’ while the journalist was live on air. The video footage released by TV Pirveli shows the police failing to respond to the incident. When the journalist questioned officers at the scene about their inaction, the man insulted her further. Another video shows that the police briefly detained the aggressive individual as a formality but quickly released him.

December 16

On December 16, during a protest near the Constitutional Court in Batumi, Eter Turadze, editor of the online media outlet Batumelebi, interviewed the chief of Adjara police about potential sanctions for actions taken against protesters. The question irritated the police chief, who obstructed her work by forcibly removing her from the protest area. Another law enforcement officer also spoke to Turadze aggressively, as shown in another footage where he disrespectfully says, “Do you understand Georgian? Move back when told.”
On the same day, Germane Salia, director of the local Poti TV station Channel 9, was fined 1,000 GEL by the police for allegedly ‘participating in a group protest march in a car.’ According to the Journalism Resource Center (JRC), the incident occurred on December 13 during a protest in Poti. Salia explained to the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics that he was not participating in the march but was following the demonstrators in a car, fulfilling his duty to cover the event.

December 7

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli. The incident occurred while the crew was broadcasting live. They were reporting on how masked individuals were ambushing and attacking citizens. In the video footage from the scene, an unknown masked individual is seen sneaking up behind Maka Chikhladze, grabbing her, and throwing her to the ground. Cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was kicked in the head. The crew required medical assistance after the attack. “They took the microphone, took the camera, hit both of us, and shouted, ‘What are you reporting, you bastards?’ The police were standing right here, at this spot, when it happened. They failed to react and just walked away. We were attacked and beaten. They’re marauders in black masks,” said Maka Chikhladze.

On December 7, a journalist from Palitranews who was filming the dispersal of the protest with a mobile phone, was obstructed by riot police. In a video footage shared by Mtavari Arkhi, the journalist states that they were broadcasting live when the officer seized their phone and threw it away. At the time, the journalist was wearing an identification badge clearly indicating their media affiliation.

In the early hours of December 7 Mtavari Arkhi journalist and host Beka Korshia was detained during a protest. According to the TV channel, Korshia was physically assaulted during the arrest. “Beka Korshia was detained on Elbakidze, where the riot police unit were simply moving. His arrest was entirely unlawful. Afterwards, he was kept out of contact for four hours, and we were unable to reach him or gather any information. We were also denied the opportunity to exercise his right to legal defense,” Korshia’s lawyer stated.

At the protest, riot police verbally harassed Mtavari Arkhi journalist Dea Mamiseishvili.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the riot police obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

On December 7, Caucasian Knot correspondent Beslan Kmuzov was detained by riot police while reporting. Kmuzov said he was detained after taking a photo of riot police who were aligned on Shota Rustaveli avenue. Riot police confiscated Kmuzov’s phone. The court imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL on the journalist and he was released on December 9.

6 December

On December 6, while covering a peaceful protest near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, the riot police illegally obstructed the journalistic work of journalists from online media outlet Publika – Natia Amiranashvili and Basti Mgaloblishvili. According to Publika, the journalists were filming the arrests of protesters when some officers tried to seize their phones.

On December 6, While covering a protest near the Blue Gallery, Publika journalist Mindia Gabadze was physically attacked by an unknown individual. A video shows bystanders urging the police to detain the attacker, but the officers failed to take action. Gabadze sustained facial injuries and stated that he had informed the attacker he was a journalist, but the assault continued regardless. He had also been injured earlier, on November 29, while reporting on the dispersal of a peaceful protest.

4 December

On December 4, during the dispersal of the protest, TV Formula cameraman Tedo Kvachakhia was injured by tear gas. He received on-site medical assistance from emergency personnel.

On December 4, during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel cameraman Beso Gaprindashvili was injured, suffering a hand injury, and was taken to a clinic. According to the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel, he was hit by fireworks.

On December 4, according to Formula TV, the channel’s journalist, Luka Tkebuchava, was intentionally targeted twice with a gas capsule by the riot police.

On December 4, TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia was verbally and physically assaulted by riot police near the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. In addition, the riot police damaged the TV station’s camera.

On December 4, Formula TV journalist Salome Bokuchava was attacked by an officer dressed in black near the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The officer, who was not wearing the proper insignia, tried to obstruct her journalistic work. She was reporting on the arrest of opposition politicians Aleko Elisashvili and Zurab Datunashvili by the criminal police.

3 December

On December 3, during the dispersal of the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, after the riot police used a gas capsule, the TV station’s filming crew was injured – journalist Teona Khubulava and two cameramen, Levan Kartvelishvili and Badri Gamrekelashvili. They received medical assistance on-site from emergency medical personnel.

On December 3, investigative reporter Nino Ramishvili from the media outlet Studio Monitor was filming the beating of a protester when the riot police took away her phone. According to the journalist, she was wearing a press identification badge and had repeatedly informed the officers that she was a journalist, but her phone was not returned.

On December 3, during the dispersal of the protest, the TV Pirveli’s station’s broadcasting equipment was severely damaged, including a camera used for live transmission.

On December 3, Natalie Chkhartishvili from Chaikhana had her Handycam taken from her while she was filming the detention of protesters. She was also yelled at to turn off the camera.

On December 3, Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Givi Mchedlishvili fell unwell while working. During the live broadcast, the channel’s journalist, Dea Mamiseishvili, can be heard asking the protesters if anyone can help the cameraman.

On December 3, according to information provided to MediaChecker, JRC cameraman Bakari Kvavadze was struck in the thigh by a gas capsule.

2 December

On December 2, during a raid at the Rustaveli metro station, the riot police detained Giorgi Chagelishvili, a journalist from the online media platform Mautskebeli. In a video posted on social media, Chagelishvili is seen informing the riot police that he is a journalist; nonetheless, he was detained.

On December 2, at the Rustaveli metro station, while filming the detention of protesters, a journalist from the online media platform Publika was pushed by the riot police, causing them to drop the phone that was used to record the incident.

On December 2, the editor of OC MEDIA, Mariam Nikuradze, was slammed into a wall by the riot police damaging her camera.

On December 2, a journalist from the pro-government TV station Rustavi 2, Tamta Chitishvili, was injured in the leg near the Parliament building. According to information released by the TV station, the journalist underwent surgical intervention.

On December 2, pro-government TV station Rustavi 2 cameraman Giorgi Nergadze was injured near the Parliament building. Emergency medical personnel provided first aid.

On December 2, TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was injured during the protest. According to him, he was likely sprayed with pepper spray. Emergency medical personnel provided assistance at the scene. Additionally, according to the NGO Media Ombudsman, journalist Mariam Makasarashvili was also injured along with Kokaia.

On December 2, while filming the detention of citizens who had entered a business center on Besiki Street, a TV Pirveli cameraman was threatened by members of the riot police, who told him not to record any footage.

On December 2, according to the online media outlet April, their journalist Giorgi Baskhajauri was attacked by the riot police while carrying out his professional duties. Baskhajauri was filming the detention of protestors when the officer attempted to seize his phone and chased after him.

On December 2, photographer Mirian Meladze was injured. He posted a photo of his injured leg on his personal Facebook page and wrote that the incident occurred three days before.

On December 2, Media worker at a propagandist pro-government Post TV Guranda Bilikhodze was injured by a tear gas canister, according to independent media outlet Publika.ge.

1 December

On December 1, Irakli Gedenidze, a photojournalist from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel was injured in his leg when photographing the protest action. The First Channel reported that he was injured by pyrotechnics.

On December 1, “Mtavari Arkhi” reported that the riot police directed aggressive and offensive language at journalist Keta Tsitskishvili.

On December 1, Giorgi Shetsiruli, a cameraman for TV Pirveli, was injured while working live on air. According to the TV station, he sustained a serious leg injury and was taken to the hospital.

On December 1, TV “Formula” reported that their crew got injured by a water cannon, which was used to disperse the protest.

On December 1, The cameraman from TV “Formula” was also injured while covering the protest. He reportedly became unwell after inhaling the tear gas, which was used to disperse the protest.

On December 1, Beka Beradze, a producer for Radio Tavisupleba, was beaten and temporarily detained by riot police. Beradze was near the protest when he was surrounded by the police, detained and taken to a Sagarejo detention center. Beradze told his lawyer that he informed the officers he was a journalist, but they still arrested him.

On December 1, according to the online media platform On.ge, photographer Nikoloz Tabukashvili was arrested during the protest.

On December 1, Mirian Meladze, a photographer from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel, was reportedly injured on Rustaveli Avenue by what is believed to have been a rubber bullet.

November 30

On November 30, TV Pirveli journalist Mariam Gafrindashvili was seriously injured. According to reports, she lost consciousness several times. The video footage released by the station, shows her bleeding from the forehead before being taken to a medical facility.
On November 30, TV Pirveli cameraman Papuna Khachidze was physically injured during the protest.
On the same day, the riot police attacked Ana Mskhaladze, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, while she was performing her professional duties. The officer also took her phone. Mskhaladze explained that she was recording the detention of citizens when the officer knocked the phone out of her hand. When she identified herself as a journalist and bent down to retrieve it, she was struck in the head. The officer then took the phone and disappeared. Her phone is still missing.
During the protest near the Parliament building on November 30, special forces attacked RealPolitika journalist Aka Zarqua. ‘About ten special forces officers surrounded and beat me until they got tired. I won’t even mention the verbal abuse. At one point, their commander arrived and tried to shove my press badge into my mouth. Fortunately, they didn’t manage to seize my phone, and the live stream remains on RealPolitika’s page. The video captures one instance of the physical assault, though my phone was in my pocket during the second, so it wasn’t recorded. They also confiscated my respirator. Thankfully, I was wearing a helmet,’ Zarqua wrote.
Photographer Giorgi Gamgebeli was also physically assaulted on November 30. He was hospitalized, and his equipment was confiscated and destroyed. ‘They broke my leg, beat me, ripped the camera from me, and took it away. People barely managed to drag me to an ambulance,’ the photographer reported.
On November 30, Formula TV reported that special forces attacked a journalist Nutsa Bakhutashvili and her cameraman Irakli Bartava. According to the network, Bakhutashvili sustained a concussion.
The cameramen of Georgian Public Broadcaster First Channel Davit Bejanishvili was injured during the protest on November 30.
According to Paper Kartuli, on November 30, a masked man, presumably a law enforcement officer, struck journalist Fyodor Khudokormov with his hand.

November 29

On November 29, TV Formula’s journalist Guram Rogava was brutally assaulted by riot police while working live on air. The riot police struck him from behind, causing him to fall and sustain head and neck injuries. The footage shows the journalist lying on the ground, bleeding. He was later taken to a medical facility. Before this incident, Rogava had been obstructed by police while working live on air. In footage from that time, police can be seen forcibly removing the journalist from the area, covering the camera, and preventing the cameraman from filming.
During the November 29 protest, TV Formula’s journalist Giorgi Kvijinadze and cameraman Tedo Kachakhia were injured. Journalist Khatia Samkharadze was also sprayed with pepper spray.
On November 29, the equipment of TV Formula’s crew, covering the protest in Batumi, was damaged. Tamar Tediashvili mentioned this during a live broadcast.
On November 29, law enforcement officers arrested journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili of the online outlet Publika while he was performing his professional duties. They confiscated his camera and assaulted him. He was later released on the condition of a written statement and taken to a medical facility for examination. “I kept saying I was a journalist, but it seems that had the opposite effect. They insulted me even more, and then added that I was a journalist. They escorted me through a kind of corridor where they hit me with their hands and feet, mostly in the face. They took my cameras, badge, and respirator. I was passed from one person to the next, with each one hitting me until I was taken from Chichinadze Street through the back of the Parliament grounds and up to 9 April Street, where they put handcuffs on me,” the journalist wrote on social media.

Publika’s journalist Natia Amiranashvili was obstructed by police while filming, and her phone was reportedly damaged during the incident.
Publika photographer Mindia Gabadze was injured by law enforcement officers while performing his professional duties.
Publika journalist Basti Mgablishvili was repeatedly obstructed during the protests and was struck several times.
TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was deliberately sprayed in the face with pepper spray by special forces.
TV Pirveli cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was physically assaulted by a special forces officer, who attacked him from behind.
TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia and cameraman Davit Bichikashvili were also injured during the protests when special forces deliberately sprayed them with a water cannon.
TV Pirveli journalist Ana Mdivani was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and required medical attention.
Reporters from Mtavari Arkhi, including journalist Dea Mamishvili and cameraman Giorgi Goginashvili, also became unwell due to the tear gas.
Mtavari Arkhi journalist Keta Tsitskishvili, along with fellow journalist Davit Kobidze and cameraman Luka Bachilava, was verbally abused and obstructed by the riot police.
According to Radio Free Europe, journalists Davit Koridze and Salome Chaduneli were physically assaulted during the protests.
Radio Free Europe cameramen Ilia Ratiani and Zuka Khidashvili were obstructed while carrying out their professional duties.
Radio Free Europe journalist Davit Tsagereli was punched and thrown to the ground by a riot officer.
Adjara TV journalist Nino Lorchoshvili lost consciousness while covering the protests, likely due to exposure to pepper spray used by special forces.
Netgazeti journalist Givi Avaliani was sprayed in the face with pepper spray by the riot police.
OC Media founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze was hit with a water cannon, causing her to fall and damage her camera. She required medical help and later wrote on social media that the riot police had prevented her from filming: “The special forces threw my phone twice, forbidding us to film and insulting us journalists.”
JAMnews reporter Yulia Kalaban was hit by a police officer while attempting to film special forces setting up barricades on Rustaveli Avenue. She needed first aid.
The journalists of Studio Monitor Nino Tsverava and Nino Shubitidze, as well as cameraman Giorgi Baramidze, were obstructed during the protest. Nino Tsverava posted the footage of police violence on social media.
The riot Police physically assaulted Project 64 editor Giorgi Gogua, kicking him in the legs.
A journalist from the pro-governmental TV station Rustavi 2 was injured by a water cannon.
The journalist of Express News Irakli Managadze was kicked by a special forces officer.
April Media photographer Tbilisi Abuseridze was injured when photographing the protest action.
TOK TV journalist Filipe Tsereteli was injured by a gas capsule fired at him. He reported that tear gas capsules were deliberately thrown: “They released about 5 capsules. On Besiki Street, where we were, only journalists were present, around 5-7 people. No protesters were there at that time.”
The cameraman of the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel Davit Bejanishvili was injured while covering the protests.
Giorgi Chumburidze, a cameraman for Current Time/Radio Free Europe’s Russian news platform, was obstructed while carrying out his work.