This Affects You Too – They Are Still Listening Campaign urges the law enforcement authorities to launch a probe based on Eka Mishveladze’s statement

On October 8, while being a guest of Rustavi 2 talk show Archevani, journalist Eka Mishveladze stated that she was under surveillance. 

Host of public broadcaster talk show Pirveli Studia publicly confirmed reports about her and her spouse, one of the leaders of an opposition party Free Democrats, Aleksi Petriashvili being under surveillance. Few days ago it was reported that Eka Mishveladze’s talk show on public broadcaster was closed. On September 4, Advisor to the Public Broadcaster’s Director General, Basa Potskhishvili made a statement about Eka Mishveladze’s conflict of interest because of her marriage to Aleksi Petriashvili. The Public Defender has not yet officially commented on the issue. 

It is especially alarming that together with a talk show host, one of the leaders of an opposition political party was allegedly also placed under surveillance. 

This is not the first time allegations about secret surveillance and interception against journalists were made. In May 2014, secret video device was recovered in offices of Rustavi 2; regrettably, status of the investigation remains unknown, suggesting that investigating activities undertaken by law enforcement authorities have been ineffective. 

Members of the campaign This Affects You Too – They Are Still Listening urge the law enforcement authorities to launch immediate probe based on the journalists’ public statement and if illegal surveillance and interception did in fact occur, identify perpetrators. Otherwise, the authorities will be burdened with a political responsibility for surveillance and harassment of citizens for their journalistic reporting or political activities.