Georgian media representatives address to the diplomatic corpus in Georgia, international journalist unions, to the Georgian government, to public. It is already more than a week, as the protest actions are continuing. Georgian reporters Gia Abdaladze, Irakli Gedenidze and Zurab Qurtsikidze are still imprisoned. Nevertheless no factual evidences are proving the guilt incriminated to them.
Evidences taken by law enforcers from them in very suspicious circumstances are not enough bases for us to believe that photo reporters are spies. The most part of the independent media and a public outraged over the facts of its night detention; the court procedural actions against them; security classification of the case; cynical ignorance by the government of the supporting protest actions and TV fakes. We are considering this happening as revenge and the persecution for the truth. This, in fact, denotes government's refusal to the democratic development.
We consider that for such actions the responsibility lies upon the President and law enforcing bodies. This affects badly the international reputation of our country.
We are addressing to the international community, dip.corp. in Georgia, international journalist unions to be alert in connection with this case.
We are addressing to the international community to take in consideration this appeal of journalists' and public and to release on bail Gia Abdaladze, Irakli Gedenidze and Zurab Qurtsikidze. To lift secrecy from the case in the interests of the public. To stop persecution of journalists.
