Bundestag MP asked to visit Nika Gvaramia, which the government refused - Samadashvili

Salome Samadashvili, MP for Lelo Georgia says authorities refused to allow a German Bundestag member visiting Georgia to meet the founder of the Mtavari Channel in prison. According to her, the refusal caused great surprise among her German colleagues.

"The sad reality is that in our country, including by international assessments, all indicators regarding independent activities of the media are back-sliding among which of course the imprisonment of Nika Gvaramia is a very important factor. I would like to tell you that one of the Bundestag MPs requested a visit of Nika Gvaramia in prison and the authorities refused, which was very surprising for our German colleagues, this is the government that in reality considers only those people who are in the service of their propaganda to be media," - said Salome Samadashvili.

It is unknown for what reason German Bundestag MP was denied a visit.

For information, the delegation of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the German Bundestag will hold meetings in Georgia on May 2-5. In addition to government representatives, members of the delegation will meet with representatives of civil society, media, economy and culture.