Case of Giorgi Gabunia - European Centre for Press and Media Freedom issues a special statement

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom has issued a special statement on the case of Giorgi Gabunia, a journalist of the Mtavari Channel.

The appeal of the organization is about the threat of death to the anchor of the "Mtavari Channel". The letter mentions the fact that a Russian citizen of Chechen nationality was arrested, who was allegedly preparing an attack on Giorgi Gabunia.

We call on the Georgian authorities to take all necessary steps to uncover who orchestrated, instructed and financed the assassination plot and bring them to justice. This will be a powerful step towards dismantling impunity towards threats against journalists and media workers, and prove the law holds everyone accountable," reads the statement.

Copies of the letter were sent to the EU Embassy in Georgia and Christian Danielsson, Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.

Recall that in the framework of the investigation into the case of the preparation of the contracted murder, the State Security  arrested a Russian citizen Vasambek Bokov on June 12, 2020.

As it was found out on June 15 from the briefing of the General Director of the Mtavari  Channel, Nika Gvaramia, Bokov arrived in Tbilisi on a special assignment.Giorgi Gabunia's liquidation was planned by order of the Chechen leader and Putin's right-hand man - Ramzan Kadyrov