Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed legal action against Vakho Sanaia, the host of the flagship news broadcast on Formula TV. The ministry is demanding that he be held liable for social media posts containing insulting language directed at Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs has only one function left: enforcing censorship on social media. Fining and arresting civic activists serves as a warning to everyone else. They know full well that arresting me will not force me to surrender my freedom of expression: I will continue to write what I deem necessary and openly voice my stance,” Sanaia told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service.
According to the journalist, he learned about the administrative proceedings launched against him from a public defender, who reported that the protocol drawn up by the ministry would be heard on October 6. Sanaia turned down the legal counsel, explaining that he saw no point in it since he did not intend to attend the court hearing.
This marks the third case initiated by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs against Vakho Sanaia. The journalist was previously subjected to administrative detention and a fine of 6,000 lari (approximately $2,300).
