NGO head condemns Georgian Government crackdown on media

Londa Toloraia, head of the Rule of Law Center, has raised concerns over the “increasing pressure on journalists and media representatives” in Georgia, claiming they had become a “special target” of the government amid months of protests in the country against halted EU integration.

In her comments on Wednesday, Toloraia said the ruling authorities were intolerant of differing opinions, making it difficult for independent voices to operate freely. She emphasized the risks posed by the government’s actions, warning that the situation could escalate to a point where individuals might not even know who is detaining them or whether their detention is lawful.

“Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, we may not understand at all who is detaining us, who is putting us in a car, where we are being taken, and whether it is legal or illegal. This is unacceptable, what is happening, and I repeat once again – it is very dangerous for the security of the country,” Toloraia stated.

She linked the recent treatment of journalists to a broader pattern of government hostility toward independent media, arguing that any form of dissent or differing opinion is met with resistance.

“What is happening to journalists is, of course, a continuation of how this government treats media professionals. All people who contribute to spreading a different opinion in this country are seen as unacceptable by the authorities. Therefore, it is not surprising that journalists and media representatives are a special target of this government,” she added.