The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has issued a statement regarding the investigation launched after a report aired on the Formula TV channel, which detailed an alleged crime committed by filmmaker Giorgi (Gogi) Khaindrava. The organization believes that the investigation, which targets a journalist’s statement made in the course of their professional activities, could set a dangerous precedent for media freedom and pose a real threat of criminal law being used to restrict critical journalism rather than protect the interests of justice.
Earlier, the Prosecutor’s Office summoned Davit Kashiashvili, the host and journalist of the “Saturday Formula” program, for questioning as part of the criminal case.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation into a knowingly false report was launched on June 16 following an appeal by Gogi Khaindrava’s lawyers:
“On June 16, 2026, the Investigative Department of the Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation under Part 1 of Article 373 of the Criminal Code of Georgia into the fact of a knowingly false report.
During the investigation, filmmaker Giorgi (Gogi) Khaindrava was questioned as a witness. All necessary investigative and procedural actions will be carried out, and the public will be further informed of the results,” the Prosecutor’s Office stated.