13:14, 1 April 2004

Opposition newspaper staff detained in Adjaria

Authorities of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic made an attack on the only opposition newspaper Batumtsi, reported the Our Adjaria political movement. Yesterday, March 31, all newspaper staff were detained. No specific charges were brought against them: all the people were taken to an addiction clinic. The staff rate the action as just another means of intimidation. As of 18:30 local time March 31, they still were at the dispensary.

Author: Tengiz Ablotiya, expert of the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations

Source: Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (Moscow)