Nika Kokaia

Affiliated media: Formula TV, Cameraman

Incident date: March 8, 2023

Attack type:

• Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Location: Georgia, Tbilisi

Additional information:

On March 8, 2023, Georgian media representatives suffered injuries during the rally dispersal on Rustaveli Avenue. Dozens of journalists and camerapersons were exposed to tear gas deployed by the riot police to halt a protest. Disturbingly, there was a case where a gas grenade exploded at the journalist’s feet. While covering protests, the media representatives faced an assault and obstruction of professional activities by law enforcement officers, despite their knowledge about the professional duty of the journalists. During the rally dispersal, the law enforcement officers attacked Formula TV’s cameraman, Nika Kokaia, interfering with his professional activities.