Georgia: CFWIJ condemns the vicious attack against journalist Nino Kekelia and her team

May 7, 2021, Udabno - The Mtavari channel TV crew, along with journalist Nino Kekelia were physically assaulted by an unidentified group of men, while reporting on the Davit Gareja Monastery Complex on Georgia's southeastern border with Azerbaijan. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is utterly dismayed by the vicious attack. We demand the Georgian authorities identify the perpetrators immediately and apply the necessary criminal sanctions. 

The video released by Mtavari on social media, showed that journalists were assaulted by a group of men dressed as priests. In the video, Mtavari's camera operator Irakli Kvaratskhelia fell to the ground, while Nino was physically assaulted. The attackers have not yet been identified.

The Home Ministry stated that they started an investigation into the incident. According to reports, Melashvili is being investigated by Georgian authorities for allegedly withholding materials from a border agreement between Georgia and Azerbaijan that forced Georgia to lose some territory. 

According to CPJ, Nino said that Kvaratskhelia dropped his camera during the interview and his equipment was damaged. The journalist was also pushed off the shoulders and kicked by the attackers. The journalist also added that two border police cars were nearby during the assault, however, the officers ignored the incident when journalists came and asked them to help.

Nino also said that despite calling the police, the officers arrived 30 minutes after, at which point the scuffle ended and the attackers left the scene. Adding that a crowd of about 50 people blocked their roads and surrounded the car when the news crew was about to leave Udabno. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the brutal attack against journalist Nino Kekelia and her team. We demand the Georgian authorities identify the attackers immediately and take necessary criminal action against them. Journalists should be able to report freely and safely. The security forces are obliged to ensure their safety.