24 July 2007, 15:47
Journalist expelled from sitting of Adjarian government
Mziya Amaglobeli, publisher of the "Batumelebi" newspaper, has informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that independent regional journalist Emzar Diasamidze, who is representing the above edition, has been sent out today from the sitting of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjaria (Georgia).
The alleged reason was that the journalist was not accredited. However, as soon as he decided to record the cause of this step to his dictophone and asked an official comment from Irakliy Cheishvili, head of public relations service of the government of the Adjarian Republic, force was applied against him.
In January 2007, the "Batumelebi" newspaper sent an official letter asking for accreditation of the edition's journalist, but the authorities of Adjaria officially notified the only thought-to-be independent medium of the region with the following text: "For contacts with mass media, the government of Adjaria has respective services (persons in charge) who will help you, if necessary, same as other mass media."
"After this letters from the government of Adjaria, no newspaper journalists have ever been admitted to a government sitting," Mziya Amaglobeli, "Batumelebi"'s publisher, said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
See earlier reports: "Opposition newspaper staff detained in Adjaria."
Author: Edita Badasian, CK correspondent
