Journalist Assaulted, Equipment Damaged as Police Crack Down on Protest Coverage

Today, during a protest, Sergi Baramidze, a cameraman for Mtavari Channel, was physically assaulted and unlawfully detained by law enforcement officers while performing his professional duties. After his release, Baramidze revealed that police had pressured him to delete the footage he had recorded.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges to press freedom in Georgia. During the protest, Mtavari Channel's equipment was damaged, and a drone used for coverage was confiscated. Other journalists reported interference by the police, who also detained peaceful protesters.

The actions of law enforcement raise serious concerns. Under the Criminal Code of Georgia, obstructing a journalist’s work through illegal means is a criminal offense (Article 154). Furthermore, acts of violence (Article 126) and unlawful detention (Article 147) are classified as crimes.

Incidents like these undermine the essential role of the media in holding authorities accountable and further intensify concerns over press freedom and government accountability in Georgia.