I welcome this week’s important court decisions convicting several persons for mass violence against journalists in #Georgia in July 2021. All perpetrators and masterminds behind any attacks on media workers must be brought to justice.

The discrediting campaign against #PalitraMedia in #Georgia is very concerning. Politicians & other public figures should refrain from undermining trust in journalists, as committed to in the #OSCE 2018 Ministerial Decision on Safety of Journalists & the 2021 Joint Declaration.

I am shocked by the recent killing in #Georgia of the well-known journalist from #Kazakhstan, Zhanbota Tolegen, reportedly by an acquaintance of hers. Her death is a significant loss to the journalistic community. I extend my condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

I welcome the decision by President Salome Zourabichvili to grant a pardon to Nika Gvaramia, who in 2022 was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. This decision highlights the importance of media freedom in #Georgia.
 

Deeply alarmed by the escalating hostility against media professionals in #Georgia, as exemplified by the brutal assault on Misha Mshvildadze. I call on all political leaders to condemn these violent acts against critical voices & welcome the swift launching of an investigation.

The reintroduction of the 'foreign agents' law in #Georgia is a very concerning development. It could have serious negative implications on #MediaFreedom and #FreedomofExpression in the country.

Additionally, the reported attacks on media workers from Publika, Tabula and Aprili online media last night are distressing. Authorities should exercise the utmost restraint when dealing with journalists, especially during public demonstrations.

https://www.osce.org/node/467892

I deeply regret the recent decision of the #Georgia parliament to push through the 'foreign agents' law, despite president @Zourabichvili_S's veto. The law threatens independent media & CSOs & breaches Georgia’s #OSCE commitments on #FreedomofExpression & #MediaFreedom.

I urge for the immediate release of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli whose health condition is a cause of great concern. I reiterate that the Government of #Georgia should unconditionally release all journalists who have been arbitrarily arrested or detained.

Perpetrators of violent attacks against journalists reporting from demonstrations should be investigated and held accountable in line with Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the #SafetyofJournalists.