Journalists file a lawsuit in the Strasbourg Court
By Anastasia Sokhadze
Tuesday, June 23
Guria News journalist Merab Tsaava reports that only his hand, which covered his face, saved him from being blinded on the night of June 20th last year. Beslan Kmuzov, a journalist from the Caucasian Uzel, was shot six times, including in the head, which required suturing. According to Kmuzov, he was only filming the night.
According to the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, 39 media outlets were injured during the June 20th rally. Riot police aggressively dispersed the rally without any warning. Some media outlets point out that riot police fired rubber bullets at the targets while cursing at them.
So far, the requirements of the Civil Society and Journalism Ethics Charter have not been met, and the prosecutor's office has launched a search under Article 154 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates illegal interference with journalists' professional activities. On June 20-21, none of the affected journalists were granted the status of victims, although some reported the fact of the violence itself and there are documents and strong proof.
68 policemen and no journalists were recognised as victims. We went through all the instances here, asking for the victim's notice. We were refused everywhere and then we went to the Strasbourg court, stated Dimitri Nozadze, Beslan Kmuzov's lawyer.
Gmtv.ge correspondent Zaza Svanadze comments:
The police kicked the construction of the stage. It almost hit me. Then I had a general view of the stairs when one of the law enforcers shot at me with a target. Six bullets hit me, it was like a saber-toothed bullet that crashes after one shot. I declare with full responsibility that I did not say anything to them, I did not ask any questions. I took quick steps towards Baratashvili Street. The blood flowed to my ankles, and I could not stop the bleeding all night.
Zaza Svanadze is seeking asylum in Belgium. According to him, the reason is that a political persecution has been launched against him.
