The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has launched a criminal investigation into TV company ‘Formula’ following a complaint filed by lawyers representing film director Giorgi (Goga) Khaindrava, a supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
In a statement published on June 17, the Prosecutor’s Office said the Investigation Department of the Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation under Article 373, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which concerns false accusation.
“The investigation was initiated based on a statement by lawyers representing the interests of film director Goga Khaindrava regarding the possible commission of a crime against Khaindrava by TV company ‘Formula’,” the agency said.
The Prosecutor’s Office noted that Khaindrava has already been questioned as a witness.
“All necessary investigative and procedural actions will be carried out, the results of which will be provided to the public,” the statement added.
Khaindrava first announced on January 21 that he planned to sue ‘Formula’ over a report aired on the broadcaster’s program on January 17.
In the report, ‘Formula,’ citing an anonymous source, alleged that “in 2016-2017, Goga Khaindrava, in agreement with the State Security Service, brought citizens of India and Pakistan into Georgia for a certain amount of money.”
On March 11, Khaindrava said he had filed a defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. He also stated that he would appeal to the Prosecutor’s Office, the State Security Service, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to launch an investigation.
“For me, this is a crime equivalent to treason. It is treason when potential criminals are illegally brought into the country in exchange for a bribe,” Khaindrava said at the time.
The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics criticized the Prosecutor’s Office’s decision to open the investigation, describing it as an attempt to intimidate the media.
“The Charter considers this action by the Prosecutor’s Office as a tool to intimidate the media and punish investigative journalists. The confidentiality of a source is a protected right of a journalist and a fundamental professional standard. It is unacceptable to force a journalist to disclose a source.
“Repressive approaches towards critical media in Georgia are constantly taking on new forms and are becoming more profound. An extremely hostile and obstructive environment is the everyday reality in which independent media have to work,” the Charter said.
