Media representatives organised a demonstration in Batumi. According to a GPB First Channel journalist, all media outlets in the region gathered at the European Square today to urge an end to violence against journalists.

The demonstrators said 55 representatives from various media groups have been hurt in recent days.

Protesters express solidarity with their injured colleagues and demand the Ministry of Internal Affairs to immediately probe the acts of the violence.

“Today, journalists are protesting the terror and repression against the media, which the Georgian Dream and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are responsible for,” stated Batumelebi journalist Manana Kveliashvili.

The masked individuals violently attacked TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli on Saturday. The footage shows Maka Chikhladze being attacked from behind and thrown onto the ground as she is trying to protect the cameraman. Giorgi Shetsiruli lying on the ground was also brutally beaten. The probe has been launched under the second part of Article 154.