US Embassy calls on authorities to conduct an impartial investigation on attacks on Formula TV journalists
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, April 12
Formula TV reports that two of their employees were attacked on April 9. According to the channel, one of the journalist’s car was attacked, while another employee was physically assaulted. Formula believes that the attack is related to the activities of the TV company.
The director of the company Zuka Gumbaridze said that the attack on the employees is caused by the huge polarization in the country, noting that He noted that this type of violence in many cases in connection to the rhetoric that the Georgian government has.
He called on the Public Defender and the diplomatic corps to take an interest in the facts of increased violence against the media and to respond accordingly to ensure a safe media environment in the country.
The US Embassy has made a statement about the attack against the Formula TV Employees, condemned it, and talked about the beating of another Formula TV Journalist Vakho Sanaia in February.
The embassy urged the Georgian authorities to conduct swift, timely, and impartial investigations into these incidents. The embassy added that the attacks on journalists are unacceptable and that in a democratic country, they must be free and safe.
Transparency International Georgia also commented on the fact and called on Georgian authorities to investigate the incident promptly.
TI said that the incident once again shows how difficult and dangerous it has become for media to work in conditions of high polarization. Also, TI Georgia noted that the government of the country fails to create a safe and secure working environment for critical media representatives.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia noted that it has started an investigation into the case of damaging the car, however, did not comment about the attack on the Formula employees.
In February, another employee of the TV Channel Vakho Sanaia was attacked. Sanaia, who is an anchor of the main news program of the TV Channel, was attacked by three people in February. All three were detained on February 27.
