30 July, 2010 - 16:26

Journalists Report on Verbal and Physical Abuse by Representatives of Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources

Gela Mtivlishvili and Madona Batiashvili, the journalists for the Kakheti Information Center allege they have been verbally and physically abused by Alverd Chankseliani and Khatuna Akhalaia of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources.

According to Gela Mtivlishvili Khatuna Akhalaia had hit him and Alverd Chankseliani threatened him with a revenge.

The incident took place at 17:00 on July 29 at the building of the Ministry, in Orhus Center. The journalists demanded the documentation regarding the project implemented with the view of decreasing risk factors of overdue pesticides. Earlier the journalists had applied to the Ministry three times to obtain public information. The Ministry refused to kill the journalists' curiosity stating they had no information about the project.

The journalists posted the print version of the audio record of the incident at Orhus Center on the web site of the Kakheti Information Center

"You are sick, you need to be treated," Idiot, I am not gonna just hit you but do the worse," I am an aged man but wherever I come across with you I am gonna split you into two," instead of providing the response the Ministry representatives leveled threats.

"On Monday we are going appeal to the Prosecutor's office and demand a case to be launched for interfering into journalist professional activity," said Mtivlishvili reporting to Media.ge.

Media.ge tried to get in touch with Khatuna Akhalia accused by the journalists of the abuse but in vain. The Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources flatly refused the fact of pressure upon the journalists.

"Gela Mtivlishvili got in touch with me and I provided him with all favorable possibilities to obtain the information," Eka Bendeliani, head of the Ministry press service told Media.ge.

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