Formula TV journalist summoned for questioning after investigative report on assault

Journalist Eliso Jariashvili has been summoned for questioning by prosecutors following an investigative report broadcast on the Formula TV programme Real Story with Eliso Jariashvili.

Jariashvili said she had been asked to appear at the Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office at 20:00 local time after the report identified a man alleged to have assaulted journalist Guram Rogava while he was carrying out his professional duties.

In a social media post, the journalist said she did not believe her questioning was legally necessary, arguing that investigators were already aware of the alleged attacker’s identity. She added, however, that she would attend the interview and repeat the individual’s name if prosecutors considered it procedurally important.

The Formula TV investigation claims that, a year and a half after the incident, the suspected attacker has now been identified through information obtained from multiple sources. According to the report, the individual was employed by Georgia’s Interior Ministry.

The programme further alleged that the suspect was part of a so-called “riot squad” unit accused by critics of using excessive force against demonstrators during anti-government protests.