On February 24th, during the curfew, late at night, a deliberate group attack was carried out against Formula’s prominent journalist and host of the political Talk Show, Vakho Sanaia in presence of his family, including his son, a 17 months old child.
The assault was driven directly and personally against Vakho Sanaia as predators recognized and associated him with the Formula TV. Vakho Sanaia was injured in the head and limbs. His Family and the child are deeply traumatized as the aggression included verbal and physical attacks. The group of aggressors used hate speech specifically against Formula and critical media.
It is with great regret that Formula repeatedly issues its concern about the escalating aggression against media.
Due to the government's attempts of marginalizing critical opinion, political persecutions, and aggressive rhetoric against opponents of the Georgian Dream, the polarization has deepened to such critical levels that no one feels safe in this county.
Journalists have been continuously dehumanized, insulted, and physically attacked in past, including during LIVE broadcasts and to this day, no one has been held responsible. Georgian Dream used all mechanisms to intimidate Georgia’s Public Broadcaster and Ajara Public broadcaster, including forcing journalists to leave media companies by eavesdropping and threats of publishing videos depicting private lives.
Regrettably, in contrast to democracy, the ruling party only fueled aggression by further exploiting hate speech and by boycotting every media other than those loyal to the government.
Impunity for crimes against the media fuels and perpetuates the cycle of aggression and hence we hold the government responsible for the violence.
The attack against Vakho Sanaia is not an isolated case but is part of the orchestrated assault against Formula since its establishment, including by initiating artificially incriminated cases to impose severe financial fines, attempts of altering the editorial policy of the company and threats to terminate its broadcasting license.
We call on Government to impose strict criminal liability against aggressors and act in compliance with democratic standards as well as the rule of law, including in their communication with media.
We call on international organizations, Ambassadors, friends, and partners of Georgia to strictly condemn the unacceptable aggression against media and to avoid further escalation, we call on the international community to harshly condemn all sorts of attacks against media and its representatives. Reacting to such severe violations will help to form a just society and accountable state institutions.
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