Police reportedly assaulted 22 journalists, cameramen during rally dispersal against EU integration freeze

Georgian police reportedly assaulted 22 journalists and cameramen during the dispersal of a rally protesting the Government’s freeze of EU integration.

The incident occurred when law enforcement clashed with protesters later on Thursday and early Friday, with media personnel among those targeted. Journalists were allegedly beaten and obstructed by police, resulting in several injuries.

One journalist suffered facial bone fractures and a linear fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra. Another journalist, Guram Rogava, a reporter for Formula TV, was among those injured.

He sustained fractures to his facial bones and the seventh cervical vertebra, with his neck immobilized following the attack. Despite these serious injuries, his condition was described as satisfactory, with no immediate need for surgery.

Other journalists and cameramen sustained various injuries, including bruises and contusions on the body. Some were treated for minor injuries, while the condition of most was reported as stable. The assaults on the media sparked widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates, who called for an investigation and accountability to ensure the protection of journalists during public events.