Batumi police officers have detained two individuals on charges of threatening Adjara TV journalist Koba Partenadze. “The investigation established that on August 9 of this year, during a verbal altercation in Batumi, one of the detainees—charged with violence—physically assaulted an individual. Shortly thereafter, the other detainee, who is also facing charges, threatened him with a knife,” reported Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The investigation is being conducted under Articles 126 and 151 of the Criminal Code:
- Article 126 covers violence—punishable by a fine, community service, house arrest, or imprisonment for up to one year;
- Article 151 covers threats—punishable by a fine, community service, corrective labor, house arrest, or imprisonment for up to one year.
Adjara TV anchor Koba Partenadze stated on August 10 that he had been threatened and insulted in the street. He published a video showing unidentified men asking Partenadze to step aside with them. In the process, they use homophobic slurs and subsequently threaten to cut the journalist.