GYLA and ISFED respond to the reports of violence against the head of the Khobi District Office of the political coalition Georgian Dream, Mamuka Kardava and demand an objective, thorough and timely probe into the alleged fact. According to media reports, Mamuka Kardava was assaulted by four unidentified individuals near a railroad crossing in the village of Nojikhevi, Khobi District on May 20, at around 00:45, when he was driving back home. Mamuka Kardava alleges that one of the assailants managed to get into his stopped car and tried to strangle him. Mamuka Kardava tried to back up but the assailant interfered with the steering wheel and the vehicle crashed into a metal post. He also states that the three assailants forced him out of the crashed car and beat him with a truncheon. The very same night Mamuka Kardava checked in the Khobi District Hospital with multiple injuries. It is noteworthy that the incident was preceded by a physical and verbal abuse of Mamuka Kardava by an employee of Khobi Gamgeoba, Vladimer Chitanava during a meeting of the Georgian Dream’s representatives with population of the village Chaladidi in Khobi Municipality, which was witnessed by ISFED observers. In an interview with ISFED’s representative, head of the Khobi office of the Georgian Dream alleged that the assault was connected with his political activities and state that officers of law enforcement agencies were involved in it.
2012-05-23 08:14 See moreGeorgian Young Lawyers’ Association and its Georgian Media Legal Defense Center respond to the detention of journalist Gela Mtvlivishvili at Tianeti Police Station and argue that burden of proof rests with the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Georgia. GYLA’s lawyer Amiran Zenaishvili reported about the details from the site of the incident. According to our information, on May 20, 2012, at around 13:00, journalist Gela Mtvlivishvili was carrying out his work-related activities in the regional center of Tianeti when he was approached by officers of MIA’s regional division in Tianeti and demanded a document for identification. Gela Mtvlivishvili clarifies that he showed his ID card to the police and identified himself. Afterwards, he was forced into the police station for seizing his video camera and examining the footage. At the police department he was abused verbally and physically, beaten in his head and then they called an ambulance.
2012-05-22 08:47 See moreOn May 17, 2012 LGBT rights protection organization “Identity” arranged the outdoor LGBT related event/rally to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. On May 8, 2012 the organization “Identity” filed the notice to Tbilisi City Hall. The letter #07/63542-7 provided that on May 17, 2012 “Identity” planned the rally from Philharmonic Concert Hall to the direction of Grigol Orbeliani Square. The event started on the indicated time nearby Philharmonic building and followed the planned route. At the Rustaveli Avenue, near the Academy of Science, members of the “Orthodox Parents’ Union” and “the Society of Saint Vakhtang Gorgasali”, blocked the movement of the rally by the live chain. Paragraph 9, Article 8 of the Law of Georgia on Assembly and Manifestations provides that an assembly or a manifestation must be held at the place and time indicated in the notification, in accordance with the route and purposes specified therein. Having blocked the Rustaveli Avenue, members of the Orthodox Parents’ Union disallowed participants of the rally to continue the manifestation according to the indicated route and thus violated paragraph 2, Article 12 of the Law of Georgia on Assembly and Manifestations. The article obliges citizens not to obstruct conduct of assembly or manifestation held in accordance to the rules prescribed by this law. In addition, according to one of the key principles of freedom of assembly and expression, law enforcement representatives are obliged to take measures with a view to separate the participants of the rally and counter - demonstrators and thus ensure exercise of the right to assembly and manifestation by the both parties.
2012-05-18 08:47 See moreToday, in hotel “Courtyard Marriott” participant NGOs and media organizations of the campaign “This Affects You” arranged a round table and introduced to international organizations and political parties the package of pending amendments to the Election Code. Representative of diplomatic corps and international organizations, state authorities, member of parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition, as well as NGOs and media organizations were invited at the round table. At the meeting, authors of the legislative initiative discussed the gaps of the applicable legislation and submitted their proposals in details, which, in their opinion, will ensure development of the election day procedures, equal media coverage for election subjects in pre-election period and unrestricted broadcasting by cable operators and will improve media and election enviroenment in the country. On May 7, member nongovernmental and media organizations of the campaign “This Affects You” submitted to the Parliament of Georgia the new legislative proposals on introducing of amendments to the Election Code of Georgia and certain legislative acts. The legislative proposal is focused on the following issues:
2012-05-16 20:00 See moreGYLA reacts on video material reported by various TV companies depicting Beso Gazdeliani – deputy head of local government’s executive body (gamgebeli) of Isani- Samgori district of Tbilisi, abusing physically citizens and activists of one of the opposition parties who have gathered in Ortachala and criticized measures undertaken by the government for alleviation of flood affects in Tbilisi. Video recording shows that Beso Gazdeliani was initiator of the conflict. Video recording reveals signs of offence. Competent investigative bodies are obligated to launch investigation, as per article 101 of the Criminal Procedure Code, since some TV companies have broadcasted facts of exposed physical violence. GYLA is especially concerned with the statement released by Tbilisi City Hall in terms of Beso Gadeliani’s behavior. Tbilisi City Hall pays special attention to citizens’ conduct and reports that they have “humiliated” Beso Gazdeliani. The video material broadcasted by TV companies does not prove such fact. According to the video record, one of the citizens applies to Beso Gazdeliani with the following words: “Where was your President …to watch football. He should have been at the funeral… You don’t care about it… because you are members of the “Nationals””. The statements contain public criticism of state authorities’ conduct. GYLA would like to remind Tbilisi City Hall and deputy gamgebeli of Isani- Samgori district that European Court of Human Rights repeatedly stated: “Freedom of expression also implies such statements that cause shock, anxiety and humiliation of the society or its certain part, rather than only such statement that are considered neutrally by public.” The scope of the right to expression is especially observed, when the government becomes the target of criticism.
2012-05-16 09:08 See moreGeorgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Transparency International Georgia, ISFED, the coalition Free Choice and Multinational Georgia are concerned that a new charity fund might be misused to influence voters by the opposition coalition Georgian Dream. Several media outlets have recently reported about the creation of the charity Komagi. On May 14, the daily newspaper Rezonansi reported that leaders of the Georgian Dream coalition were discussing the future activities of Komagi, associating the fund with the opposition movement. Rezonansi reports that the organization Komagi will provide financial and legal aid to citizens who have been persecuted because of their political views. Rezonansi quotes Sozar Subari, a leading figure of the Georgian Dream, saying that the fund will provide a lawyer to any citizen who has been assaulted and that it will cover costs of medical treatment and other expenses. Furthermore, it will fully compensate for social assistance that was withdrawn as a result of political activism and for lost salary income. Depending on the need, the fund will allocate GEL 1,500 to 5,000 per case and month, according to the newspaper report.
2012-05-15 08:55 See moreOn May 10, 2012 the President Mikheil Saakashvili assessed activities of some media representatives in a negative context in Ilia Chavchavadze museum at the presentation of the Computer Education Dissemination Society. As he noted, “Alia” and similar newspapers and “some Nazi elements” would have “engulfed and torn off” them (Ilia Chavchavadze and Iakob Gogebashvili.) As Saakashvili stated they preach “ignorance” (citation from Ilia chavchavadze). “They belong to marginalized group and will never return and rejoin the primary part of the society” – the president added. GYLA Media Legal Defense Center believes that only public is authorized to evaluate the product prepared by Georgian media representatives, notwithstanding its quality, save for the cases when their activity comes in conflict with Georgian legislation.
2012-05-15 08:14 See moreToday, in Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association made a presentation of the research “Rehabilitation Process beyond the Facade” prepared in the framework of the project “Promotion of Accountability and Transparency in Georgia”. The research concerns activities carried out by four non-commercial legal entities. In Tbilisi’s case they are: “Old Tbilisi Rehabilitation and Development Fund” and “Tbilisi Development Fund” established by Tbilisi government, in Batumi’s case “Batumi Historic Part Rehabilitation Fund” established by Batumi City Hall and in Kutaisi’s case “Kutaisi City Rehabilitation and Development Fund” established by Kutaisi City Hall. There were five key components that fell within the interest of the research: • What were the authorities granted by the founders to the established Funds? • What financial and property contributions were transferred to them for exercise of granted authorities? • Transparency of expenditures received from the state and local budgets and availability of relevant information on the spent amounts by these Funds; • How was immovable property, transferred by founders, utilized by the Funds? Where there instances of alienation of real property? If there were such facts in which form was the process implemented?
2012-05-14 08:43 See moreOn May 2, 2012 a public broadcaster showed in “Moambe” news at 16:00 public assembly dedicated to Zurab Vazagashvili’s death date organized near the tennis court territory by his relatives and friends and public representatives. Zurab Vazagashvili’s parents applied to GYLA. They consider that a phrase used in the program “Vazagashvili was a member of an armed group” – was false information. The compliant was submitted to self-regulation body of a public broadcaster, by which Zura Vazagashvili’s parents claimed to repudiate broadcasted information. Lawyers from GYLA Media Legal Defense Center will protect Vazagashvili’s interests. GYLA hopes that self-regulation body of a public broadcaster will examine the complaint timely in an objective and unbiased manner.
2012-05-11 11:12 See moreOn May 2, 2012 part of journalists who came to Lado Meskhishvili Kutaisi State Theatre to cover the President’s visit in Kutaisi, without any explanation were hindered to enter building by the President’s body guards. We consider, that is was illegal interference in journalists’ professional activities. GYLA Media Legal Defense Center condemns the physical and verbal abuse inflicted upon Irakli Vachiberdize – a journalist of the newspaper “P.S”. As he reports, on May 3, 2012 he came to the closed meeting of government representatives and the activists of “the United National Movement”, where he was deprived of his camera and was abused verbally and physically. Other journalists who came to Kutaisi Opera and Ballet Theatre were also restricted in their right to freedom of movement. As they reported, until the government representatives had left the city, they were detained by the security.
2012-05-11 11:09 See more