Young Activist Summoned by SIS Over Allegations of Obstructing Journalists
Niko Managadze, an activist with the Student Movement For Freedom, says he was summoned for questioning by the Special Investigation Service (SIS) on November 21. The summons comes after Imedi TV, a pro-government channel, accused him and others of obstructing their journalists during protests in Tbilisi.
According to Managadze, the SIS investigation concerns allegations that he and others interfered with Imedi TV’s work on November 18-19. However, Managadze denies any wrongdoing, saying his interaction with the Imedi crew was limited to asking if they condemned police violence against an opposition journalist.
The protests in question were held after the October elections, which saw widespread allegations of election irregularities and police brutality. On November 18-19, peaceful protesters near Tbilisi State University were forcibly dispersed by police, leading to reports of police brutality and violence against members of the media.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take immediate steps to protect journalists, but so far there is no report of an investigation into these particular cases. Meanwhile, the investigation into Managadze’s alleged interference with Imedi TV has drawn scrutiny, with many suggesting that it is a case of selective prosecution.
Managadze wrote on social media, “It’s tragicomic that the case was not opened against those ‘policemen’ who physically assaulted journalists and arrested them, but I’m being investigated for asking their colleagues about an incident.”
Read More @ civil.ge