The International Press Institute (IPI) states that the detention of a security official in the case of an attack on a journalist in Georgia, while an important step, does not address the systemic issue of impunity for violence against media representatives.
The case involves a security officer accused of violence against journalist Guram Rogava. According to the IPI, his arrest was made possible primarily due to a journalistic investigation rather than an internal inquiry by law enforcement agencies.
The organization notes that a significant portion of violence against journalists in Georgia remains unsolved, and the culture of impunity is systemic. According to IPI data, 148 journalists and media representatives have been targeted since 2024, in many cases by law enforcement officers.
Guram Rogava sustained injuries in November 2024 while covering a protest, when a special forces officer physically assaulted him. The incident resulted in severe injuries, and the journalist required prolonged treatment.
The IPI also calls for a full and effective investigation and the punishment of those responsible, including in cases of attacks on other journalists that have occurred in recent months.
According to the organization, isolated arrests alone will not change the situation unless the country strengthens its system for protecting journalist safety and its accountability mechanisms.
