Michael Vanderpool's video: US Embassy Tbilisi phone call November 11 2020 Michael Vanderpool concerned about Georgian Police

US Embassy Tbilisi phone call November 11 2020 Michael Vanderpool concerned about Georgian Police - Call to US Embassy Georgia about illegal assaults by Georgian Police against Journalists in Georgia This situation is further exacerbated by media professional activities illegal interference , physical injuries and their equipment damage . Interior Ministry statement said that three representatives of the media has been damaged, when the media spread information , according to the journalists, victims are more: Papuna Khachidze , the cameraman of TV Pirveli, was injured by a water cannon. The operation was performed on him overnight; Nika Matiashvili , the operator of "Formula", was injured as a result of launching a water cannon. It became necessary to transport him to the clinic; Netgazeti journalist Sopho Afriamashvili was injured by a water cannon; Giorgi Japaridze , the operator of "Formula", got wet with a water cannon and lost consciousness after continuing to work in this condition. An ambulance team rushed him to the clinic; Ana Baratashvili , a journalist with the Formula News Service, was thrown from a minibus by water cannon pressure, resulting in bodily injuries; Four journalists from two RFE / RL film crews were injured ; The operator of "Rustavi 2" was slightly injured ; JRC journalist Giga Abuladze was injured as a result of the water cannon . According to him, he has a burning sensation in his eyes and tears. In addition, a representative of the opposition verbally insulted the journalists of the Public Broadcaster and TV Imedi. According to Imedi , one of the protesters attacked their journalist. During the dispersal of the rally, six cameras of TV Pirveli, five channels of the Main Channel, two cameras of Rustavi 2 and one camera of Radio Liberty were damaged . The personal camera of the founder of OC Media, which covered the rally, and the mobile phone of a Guria News journalist were damaged, thus directing him from the rally. This is not the first time that journalists have illegally interfered in their professional activities while covering the rally and suffered physical injuries. In this regard, the so-called The dispersal of the Gavrilov Night rally, in which about 40 members of the media were injured, including several seriously. However, the state did not respond to these cases. Such inaction further encourages violence against journalists in the country and creates a sense of impunity. Transparency International Georgia calls on the authorities to respond immediately to violations of journalists' rights. It is important to raise the issue of the responsibility of the relevant persons, to compensate the damage caused to the media representatives and to ensure the creation of appropriate conditions for the implementation of professional activities. https://transparency.ge/ge/post/zhurnalistebis-uplebebis-uxeshi-dargvevisa-da-propesiuli-sakmianobis-xelis-sheshlis-morigi 16:45 GMT+4 – Watchdog Alarmed by Journalists Injured During November 8 Protest TI Georgia stated it is alarmed by “the instances of journalists receiving injuries and having their professional activities obstructed,” during the November 8 protest outside the Central Election Commission (CEC) building. The statement called on the government to ensure an “appropriate environment for the professional activities of journalists” and “to pursue by law the persons responsible for said incidents.” The watchdog highlighted the importance of the journalists being reimbursed for the damages as well. 16:30 GMT+4 – Four Opposition Parties Issue Joint Statement Four parties, European Georgia, Lelo, Girchi, and Strategy Aghmashenebeli issued a joint statement reiterating their refusal to recognize “the results of a rigged election” and to participating in the November 21 runoffs. “Our demands remain unchanged – conducting snap elections, changing the Central Election Commission (CEC) Administration, and releasing political prisoners. These are the issues that should be discussed with the Ivanishvili [Georgian Dream Chairman] regime through the mediation of Georgia’s international friends,” the statement reads. The statement also underscores the parties’ commitment to peaceful demonstration, adding that the opposition will renew protests on November 14, 15:00, and will also form a human chain on November 21, instead of participating in the runoffs. https://civil.ge/archives/363949