Persons Accused Of Violence Against Journalists and Cameramen Sentenced to 5 Years In Prison
By Khatia Bzhalava
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
On Monday, Tbilisi City Court found six persons guilty of physical violence against now-deceased TV Pirveli cameraman Aleksandre Lashkarava, as well as TV Pirveli journalist Miranda Baghaturia and a Public Broadcaster cameraman during July 5 anti-Tbilisi Pride rally. The decision was announced by Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Elieshvili.
Tbilisi City Court sentenced Davit Kutaladze, Otar Gelashvili, Gia Giguashvili, Tornike Davlasheridze, and Akaki Nakashidze to five years imprisonment. The six defendants were convicted of participation in group violence on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, interference with journalistic activity, Persecution and intentionally inflicting less severe health damage.
The judge, citing insufficiency of medical conclusion, reclassified the charge against Tsotne Chikhladze and found him guilty under Article 126, which stipulates violence. Chikhladze was initially charged with grievous bodily harm against Iliko Tvaliashvili, the cameraman of the Public Broadcaster.
The state prosecution, in this case, has presented several pieces of evidence in court, including videotapes showing violence against journalists by detainees. The prosecution questioned several witnesses, including law enforcement officers, who described in detail the violence perpetrated by the accused
One of the victims, Miranda Baghaturia, thanked Judge Nino Eliashvili for the verdict, noting that perpetrators should serve in jail for journalists to continue their work in a safe environment.
On July 5, far-right activists attacked fifty-three journalists. So far only 27 perpetrators involved in the violent attacks have been arrested or convicted. Baghaturia, TV Pirveli Journalist, has recalled that at least 20 people were involved in the beating of Lashkarava as their crew was reporting the situation. The activists and organizers of the homophobic rally also attacked the Shame Movement office, one of the co-organizers of the Tbilisi Pride parade.
