Two men convicted of attacking journalists and cameramen during a violent incident on July 5, 2021, have been released from prison early. Davit Kutaladze and Tornike Davlasheridze were found guilty of physical violence against journalists.
They were among six people who received prison sentences for attacking TV Pirveli journalist Miranda Baghaturia, a cameraman, and another camera operator, Lexo Lashkarava, who later died. The others also received reduced sentences.
The Media Advocacy Coalition called the decision to reduce their sentences “alarming” and said it was against journalists’ freedom of expression and democratic processes. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) also criticized the court’s ruling, saying it gave a sense of impunity to hate groups that attacked the media on July 5, 2021.
The GYLA blamed the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor‘s Office for not investigating and charging those responsible. Many journalists were injured during the attack, with over 50 people hurt.
A total of 31 individuals were arrested after the incident, but none of the organizers have been identified or charged. Civil society has repeatedly criticized this lack of action.
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