Salome Zurabishvili, the fifth President of Georgia, marking World Press Freedom Day, wrote that democracy in Georgia is under threat, pointing to violence by law enforcement officers since the start of pro-European protests.
Zurabishvili emphasized that under the authorities’ current approach to freedom of speech and media operations, more than 20 media outlets have been closed in Georgia.
“On World Press Freedom Day, democracy in Georgia is under threat. Georgia since October 2024: more than 181 journalists have been injured, 26 have been detained, and more than 20 media outlets have been closed. This is a systematic betrayal of our European course,” the politician wrote.
Following blocking and pressure, Ekho Kavkaza (Echo of the Caucasus) ceases operations
