According to the statement, the arrest of the alleged perpetrator of the attack on the journalist only took place after journalistic investigations publicly identified the officer involved, rather than as a result of an internal investigation conducted by Georgian law enforcement agencies.

The organization emphasized that while this is a minor positive development, it does not alter the overall situation regarding press freedom and journalist safety in Georgia, where the vast majority of attacks on media workers by police and other civilians reportedly remain unpunished.

The International Press Institute also noted that during the period from November to December 2024, there were documented cases of police using tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, other toxic substances, and physical violence against journalists covering peaceful protests, as well as against demonstrators themselves.