Prepared by Messenger Staff
TV Pirveli Cameraman Alleges Ministry Pursuing Administrative Case Over Online Criticism
Lasha Jioshvili, a cameraman for TV Pirveli, alleges that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has launched administrative proceedings against him following a Facebook post in which he criticized the ministry.
Jioshvili shared a video on social media showing a police officer reportedly issuing a report of a violation. He claims that the MIA is pursuing charges under Article 173, Part 2 of Georgia's Administrative Code, which pertains to verbal insults directed at police officers.
"The patrol police officers called me and told me that a case has been opened against me. They said they are filing a lawsuit with the court," he said in a statement aired by TV Pirveli.
Jioshvili asserts that the proceedings relate to a post made on April 6, where he accused patrol police of violating the law and used profanity in reference to the MIA.
"I posted a specific violation of the law by the police. I am not going to delete it. I still have that opinion, of course. We will meet in court," he said.
He also criticized the police for, in his view, monitoring citizens' social media posts instead of focusing on crime.
"People who should be fighting crime are sitting and watching my Facebook posts. If you think that you will change something for your own good, I want to tell you that you are changing it for the worse. We will meet in court, and, of course, fire on the oligarchy."
TI Georgia Criticizes Proposed Restrictions on Foreign Grants
Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia criticized the government's proposed amendments to the Law on Grants, calling it an "act of persecution against the Georgian people."
According to the proposed amendments, obtaining a foreign grant would require prior consent from the government or an authorized official. Any grant received without such approval would be prohibited and could result in legal consequences.
Gigauri said the move is a direct response to the solidarity and activism of the Georgian public.
"This is an act of persecution of the Georgian people. Throughout this period, we have seen how the Georgian Dream was afraid of the solidarity of the Georgian people. They were afraid of people who help each other, they were afraid of people who defend the rights of the detainees," she stated.
She added that civil society organizations will continue their work despite the potential legal obstacles.
"We will continue our activities and do everything so that those people who seek solidarity can see it. We are confident that we will win this fight."
