Formula TV has issued a statement condemning the violent crackdown by the Ivanishvili regime on the peaceful public demonstrations in Tbilisi on November 28-29. The broadcaster described the authorities' actions as "disproportionate force and extreme brutality," accusing police units of carrying out a deliberate strategy to punish protesters and instill fear.
“The deployment of police units, their strategy, and behavior clearly demonstrate their directions to be brutal and personally punish active participants in the demonstration, instilling fear,” the statement read.
Formula TV also highlighted the targeted violence against journalists and cameramen, who targeted for exposing the Police violence. Formula TV anchor and journalist Guram Rogava suffered serious injuries after being assaulted by masked riot police while performing his professional duties live on air. Multiple video recordings from various angles show that Rogava was fulfilling his professional duty, had no interaction with police units, and was not involved in any illegal acts.
“The police units were particularly brutal towards journalists and cameramen, as these are the people who most clearly expose the intentional crimes they have committed,” Formula TV stated.
“Unfortunately, all state agencies for monitoring and responding to human rights, especially journalistic activities, have turned into instruments of an illegitimate repressive vertical. Not a single case of violence against media representatives encouraged and carried out by the government has been properly investigated and the perpetrators have not been properly punished,” the statement reads.
Formula TV has also called on Georgia’s international partners to take a firm stand against the regime’s actions. “We appeal to our international partners to take a strict response to the actions of the creators of the Russian-model authoritarian system in Georgia and those who execute their illegal orders,” the statement said.
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