Guram Murvanidze

Affiliated media: Batumelebi, Camera operator

Incident date: January 12, 2025

Attack type:

• Administrative arrest, remand, pre-trial detention, prison

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Netgazeti.g

Location: Georgia, Batumi

Additional information:

On January 12, at approximately 9:20 PM, Guram Murvanidze was arrested while covering a protest in front of the Constitutional Court in Batumi, while performing his professional activities. He was taken to the Poti pre-trial detention center and was only allowed to meet with his lawyer on January 13, at approximately 6 AM. According to his lawyer, Mirza Mamuladze, an investigation is underway under Articles 166 (petty hooliganism) and 173 (disobedience to a lawful order) of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to Gurami, the police tried to take his phone. He resisted for a few seconds before trying to block the device, but the phone was eventually taken. The journalist did not resist during the arrest. This is confirmed by the video recording of his arrest. After his arrest, according to Guram, he was asked for his phone password and verbally abused and cursed.