Transparency International Georgia will file suit in Tbilisi City Court to defend the rights of 24 journalists, who suffered injuries during the 5 July 2021 event, as the state failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to ensure safety of their activity.

“The suit is brought against the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia which failed to protect health of journalists against aggression and attacks from violent groups on 5 July 2021 and to ensure proper conditions for them to carry out their professional activity.

Under the constitution and legislation of Georgia, the obligation to protect citizens, including media representatives, lies with the state and in the event the state breaches this obligation, it shall be brought to account. Therefore, the state must be held liable for the failure to fulfill the aforementioned function, including in the form of moral damages.

In the near future, TI Georgia will file another suit in court to seek compensation of material damage suffered by TV companies as a result of destruction of their equipment during 5 July attacks.

Lawyers of TI Georgia have studied individual cases of journalists and cameramen from TV companies, gathered video and documented evidence which amounted to a 6-hour-long video material and more than 400 pages in total, also requested additional information from the MIA about the measures undertaken by it on 5 July”, - reads the statement of TI Georgia.