Levan Ioseliani: It is not allowed to use any type of force against a journalist who covers current events, this is a crime - citizens are being detained on live broadcasts, my representatives are in isolation cells
Guram Rogava and Mariam Gafrindashvili were victims of the attack by the representatives of the special squad, which is very disturbing - journalists should not be interfered with, it is not allowed that their professional activities put at risk - public defender Levan Ioseliani announced this in the "PalitraNews" program "360 degrees".
He spoke about the ongoing processes on Rustaveli Avenue and the measures to break up the rally and stated that it is not permissible to use any type of force against a journalist who covers the current events.
"It was really shocking what we saw last night, when citizens, journalists were deliberately attacked by the representatives of the special squad. Guram Rogava and others were victims of such an attack. I want to wish them recovery.
Also today, we all saw the case of Mariam Gafrindashvili together, which is very disturbing. I want to say that journalists should not be hindered, it is not allowed that their professional activity is put at risk and such cases take place in the conditions of coverage.
It is not allowed to use any type of force against a journalist covering current events. This is against the law, it is a criminal offense, and of course we have referred all such cases to the Special Investigation Service and we ask that all this be investigated in a timely and effective manner," said Levan Ioseliani.
Levan Ioseliani calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to protect the freedom of expression of protest participants as much as possible.
"I call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to protect the freedom of expression of the protestors as much as possible, but at the same time, I always say that I call on the protestors not to overstep their freedom of expression and to observe this limit, otherwise we will see how all this will lead to a tragic end," he said.
As the public defender stated, the representatives of the public defender's office have gone to the isolation cells for the moment, where they will get to know the condition of the detainees.
"Even at this moment, my representatives are in isolation. (we see that citizens are being detained on live TV) in order to carry out appropriate protection measures, see their condition, draw up protocols, as well as provide information to the public, somewhere in the morning we will have this information", said Levan Ioseliani.
