Journalists hold solidarity rally

A solidarity rally for journalists is currently underway at First Republic Square in Tbilisi, with participants expressing support for colleagues injured during a recent protest outside the Georgian Parliament.

The rally’s organizing group released a statement condemning the police’s actions during the November 28-29 demonstrations, accusing the authorities of using “disproportionate force and extreme brutality” against peaceful protesters.

The statement emphasized that the police, particularly targeting journalists and cameramen, sought to punish and intimidate active rally participants and suppress the truth.

“The Ivanishvili regime responded to the peaceful public demonstration held in Tbilisi with cruelty,” the statement read. “The deployment and behaviour of the police units made it clear that their task was not just to disperse the rally, but to personally punish participants and instil fear.”

The statement also criticized the government for its failure to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for violence against journalists.

“Unfortunately, all state agencies monitoring human rights have turned into instruments of a repressive system,” the organizing group said.