Journalist detained in Georgia over insults to police

Georgian police have detained Koba Partenadze, a journalist of Adjara TV Public Broadcaster, on allegations of repeatedly verbally insulting police officers and committing petty hooliganism.

The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed the journalist’s detention, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

The case comes after Partenadze himself contacted police on August 9, reporting that he had been subjected to repeated insults, threats and physical violence in the preceding days.

The journalist said the incidents were not isolated but had occurred systematically.

Following his complaint, Batumi police detained two men on suspicion of using violence against and threatening Partenadze.

According to the authorities, Partenadze allegedly insulted law enforcement officers on August 16 while being questioned as a witness in a criminal case concerning him, prompting the initiation of administrative proceedings.

The authorities further stated that, on the night of August 17, the journalist allegedly disrupted public order in Batumi by shouting and using profane language. Despite repeated instructions from police officers to cease his unlawful conduct, Partenadze allegedly refused to comply and proceeded to verbally abuse the officers.

By Vafa Guliyeva