Day: December 7, 2024
On Friday, 6 December 2024, beginning around 1pm Baku local time, our newsroom lost contact with a number of individuals, some of whom who collaborate with Meydan TV.
While trying to reestablish contact, we learned that these individuals are currently being held at the Baku City Police Department. They are the following:
Khayala Agayeva / Xəyalə Ağayeva
Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig) / Aytac Əhmədova (Tapdıq)
Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh) / Aynur Qənbərova (Elgünəş)
Ramin Jabrayilzade (Deko) (independent journalist) / Ramin Cəbrayılzadə
Natig Javadli / Natiq Cavadlı
Aysel Umudova
The homes of some of the journalists named above were searched, and personal equipment and some of their belongings were seized.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ramin Jabrailzade (Deko) was detained based on information received regarding the illegal import of foreign currency into the country. In addition, several individuals were detained as part of the investigation. Ramin Deko works as an independent journalist and reporter.
We as the management of Meydan TV, firmly state that the detention and interrogation of our journalists is illegal, and we refute all accusations.
Since the day we started our activities over a decade ago, our brave journalists have been arrested, and they and their families have been subjected to persecution. Journalists who cooperate with us have been illegally banned from leaving the country, and have been surveilled by Pegasus spyware, among other forms of pressure.
Our website has been officially banned within the country’s borders since 2017, and Oor social media channels have repeatedly been subjected to cyberattacks.
Despite these attempts to silence us, we at Meydan TV have continued our work as journalists, publicized the events taking place in the country and the problems of ordinary citizens, and have done this all free of censorship.
Our goal has always been to be an independent and alternative media organization in Azerbaijan, informing our audience daily. The pressures and accusations against us since our establishment are groundless, and these novel attacks will neither silence us nor stop our work.
The post Meydan TV’s statement regarding latest arrests of journalists appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
The European Commission’s Seventh Report to the European Parliament and the Council under the Visa Suspension Mechanism issued on December 7 says that in the light of recent developments in Georgia, consideration is being given to the possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism for certain categories of persons and that “Georgia needs to take further urgent action to address the Commission’s recommendations” to avoid the possible activation of the suspension mechanism.
Benchmarks’ Implementation
The Report looks at various benchmarks relevant in the visa liberalization regime context, such as visa policy alignment, document security, integrated border management, migration management and asylum, monitoring trends in irregular migration, public order and security and external relations and fundamental rights.
While the report notes the implementation of some technical benchmarks such as document security and integrated border management, migration management, asylum, it is critical regarding the areas such as visa policy alignment and external relations and fundamental rights.
On visa policy alignment the report says that “Georgia made no progress towards further visa policy alignment.” The report says, that “on the contrary, with the signature of the visa waiver agreement with China in April 2024 the divergence with the EU visa policy increased.” The reports reads: “Georgia claims that, since it does not share any direct land border with the EU, its lack of visa policy alignment does not pose a risk for the EU in terms of irregular migration or security. However, the Commission recalls that visa policy alignment is a key objective for all countries in the EU’s neighborhood and with EU membership goals. Therefore, the Commission expects Georgia to make progress on visa policy alignment.”
The external relations and fundamental rights benchmark is even more critical, saying that “in the reporting period, Georgia adopted legislation whose application undermines fundamental rights.” The report cites the law “On transparency of foreign influence” adopted in May 2024, and the adoption of the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’ in September 2024 saying these laws “undermines the overall legal framework for upholding fundamental rights” and “infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of association, expression, and privacy.”
The report further notes that the 2024-2026 action plan for the implementation of the Human Rights strategy was adopted following a limited consultation process and does not include provisions concerning LGBTIQ people and the protection of privacy, only partially addressing freedom of religion or belief. EC notes that “significant gaps in the strategic framework as regards the protection of minority rights including representation of minorities remain to be addressed.”
The report notes the European Council’s conclusions of 17 October 2024 reaffirming that Georgia’s accession process is halted and calling on the Georgian authorities to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.
The Commission says it will “closely monitor the implementation of the Law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and the legislative package on “family values and protection of minors” given that “compliance with fundamental rights, including effective implementation and policies on anti-discrimination, are specific requirements based on which Georgia was granted visa liberalisation.”
The report also notes that “key Venice Commission recommendations regarding institutional independence, impartiality and powers of the Personal Data Protection Service remain outstanding.”
The Recommendation by the European Commission:
This part of the report notes that taking into account recent developments in Georgia, there are ongoing reflections on the possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism in relation to certain categories of persons.
The European Commission says that in order to continue to meet all the benchmarks for visa liberalization and to avoid the possible activation of the suspension mechanism, Georgia needs to take further urgent steps to address the Commission’s recommendations.
Some of these are:
- Ensure and uphold the protection of fundamental rights of all Georgian citizens, including the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs, as well as the prohibition of discrimination. The recommendation specifically point to the Foreign Agents’ and anti-LGBT laws mentioned above.
- Avoid and repeal any legislation that may restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, go against the principle of non-discrimination and contradict relevant European and international standards.
- Align Georgia’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries, in particular with regard to countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU.
- Set up an Asset Recovery Office and Asset Management Office, and continue efforts in asset tracing, freezing, management, confiscation and disposal.
- Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, ensuring adequate resources for their implementation and pay special attention to investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of high-level corruption cases.
- Amend the Law on Anti-Corruption Bureau to address key Venice Commission recommendations, particularly those pertaining to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s effective independence, political neutrality and functions.
- Align the Law on Personal Data Protection with the EU acquis.
Georgian journalist facing potential arrest
Journalist Mariam Nikuradze, co-founder and editor of OC Media, reported that, according to unverified information, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs intends to arrest her over her coverage of the protests in Tbilisi.
“Friends, there is information about an order for my arrest. This is unverified, I am not 100% certain, but as a precaution, I am letting you know,” Nikuradze wrote on social media.
Information about a list containing the names of 48 individuals was provided to OC Media by a reliable source. While the authenticity of the list could not be confirmed, it includes names of already detained individuals, such as actor Andro Chichinadze, who is facing criminal charges.
The Publica outlet also reports, based on an independent source, that Mariam Nikuradze is on the list of individuals who may be arrested.
Mariam Nikuradze has actively covered protests in Georgia in recent years, including the ongoing pro-European demonstrations. In recent days, the police have obstructed her work, as well as that of other media representatives. During one of the rallies outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, a Ministry of Internal Affairs officer attacked her, breaking two of her cameras.
Violent dispersal of Tbilisi protests
Pro-European protests continue in Tbilisi, drawing thousands of participants. After two days of relative calm, the ninth night of demonstrations, from December 6 to 7, was again marked by violent dispersal and arrests.
Special forces used water cannons and tear gas against tens of thousands gathered peacefully outside the parliament. In response, demonstrators launched fireworks and firecrackers toward the special forces.
In #Tbilisi, riot police and thousands of protesters are just a few hundred meters apart, separated by a “battlefield.” Police are firing gas capsules, while protesters are launching fireworks in response. This is the current situation. In other parts of Rustaveli Avenue, riot… pic.twitter.com/uk2NWBFK0Y
— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) December 6, 2024
The Georgian Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, addressed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, stating: “The dispersal began against a completely peaceful protest; there were no lawful grounds to prevent people from expressing their opinions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs must immediately halt the violence and the detention of protest participants.”
The new wave of mass protests began in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities on November 28, after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government would suspend EU accession talks until 2028.
This statement came just days after the Central Election Commission officially declared the ruling party victorious in the parliamentary elections held on October 26. Protests erupted across the country immediately, as a large segment of society supports the opposition and the president’s claims that the elections were rigged and that the new parliament and government are illegitimate.
Thus, the ongoing protests are focused on two key demands: returning the country to the path of European integration and holding new parliamentary elections.
Throughout the night of December 7, large groups of special forces chased protesters not only along Rustaveli Avenue but also in other parts of the city, beating and detaining people, even in the metro.
Central Tbilisi is engulfed in tear gas as riot police chase protesters along Rustaveli Avenue, detaining anyone they manage to catch.
Video by JAMnews and by Publica pic.twitter.com/zinId4dOde
— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) December 6, 2024
In addition to special forces, peaceful protesters last night were also confronted by unidentified individuals, one of whom was armed. It was later reported that this was pro-government businessman Avto Mikadze, accompanied by his bodyguards.
The protest was fully dispersed at dawn.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 48 people were detained overnight, including Beka Korshia, a television host from the Mtavari channel.
Particular attention has been drawn to the shocking detention of 19-year-old Sandro Bukia. A widely circulated video shows his mother screaming that Sandro has epilepsy and begging the officers not to touch him as he was already experiencing a seizure. Despite this, special forces dragged the young man away, pushing his mother aside.
Since the protests erupted on November 28, authorities have detained around 400 people
Ministry of Internal Affairs blames protesters
The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses detainees of administrative violations, disobedience to lawful police orders, and petty hooliganism. In a statement released on December 7, the Ministry stated that “protest participants had the opportunity to express their protest peacefully, as they did in the previous two days, and to continue their demonstration. However, the actions of some participants turned violent.”
The Ministry claims that protesters threw fireworks at the parliament building and law enforcement officers stationed around it. “Police officers were subjected to verbal abuse, and stones and various heavy objects were thrown at them,” the statement reads.
It was also reported that one Ministry of Internal Affairs officer was injured due to the use of fireworks by protesters.
“Later, participants moved from Rustaveli Avenue toward Heroes’ Square, blocking traffic on the road and engaging in a conflict with the passengers of a vehicle, who turned out to be private security for an individual,” the Ministry’s statement added.
“Detentions, beatings, unlawful searches, and arrests” – statement by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili
“Lies and cynism! If “violence has stopped” in the streets, what’s the purpose of tonight’s brutal raid? Abducting a child from their mother? Taking revenge on women?”, President Salome Zourabichvili said on X.
As an illustration, she added a video to her post featuring a statement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. In it, he says that after the authorities arrested members of political parties and activists, the street violence ended. Yet, for some reason, he laughs while saying this.
Lies and cynicism!
If “violence has stopped” in the streets, what is the purpose of tonight’s brutal raid? Abducting a child from their mother? Taking revenge on women? pic.twitter.com/UhL1yLpDyA
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 6, 2024
Zourabichvili added that “Georgians fighting fortheir freedom and European future is met with brutal terror and repression.”
“Gross violations of basic human rights – kidnappings, beatings, unlawful searches and arrests – persist unabated,” she stated on X.
#terrorinGeorgia : Day 9 of Georgians fighting for their freedom and European future is met with brutal terror and repression. Gross violations of basic human rights – kidnappings, beatings, unlawful searches, and arrests – persist unabated.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 6, 2024
- How special forces beat protesters in Tbilisi: stories from those hospitalized
- Georgia: guide on handling police searches at your home or office
Transparency International Georgia condemns violent dispersal of peaceful protest
“The police, special forces, and other armed groups of Ivanishvili’s regime were not only beating and detaining protest participants but also targeting people on nearby streets. We call on Ivanishvili to stop persecuting citizens. The government’s actions are repressive and represent a blatant violation of human rights, which is condemned by the democratic international community,” the statement reads.
Photo by Maka Tsnobiladze / JAMnews
Germany, France, and Poland issue joint statement on Georgia events
The foreign ministers of the Weimar Triangle countries (Germany, France, and Poland) issued a joint statement regarding Georgia. They condemned the anti-European decision of the “Georgian Dream” party and the disproportionate use of force against protesters:
“We reaffirm our strong commitment to supporting the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people.
We strongly condemn the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, as well as attacks on opposition representatives and media outlets. We denounce the raids on opposition party offices and civil society organizations, the arrests of political opposition members, and call for their immediate release.
Fundamental rights, including freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, must be upheld and protected in accordance with Georgia’s Constitution and international commitments.
We urge the ‘Georgian Dream’ party to de-escalate tensions and initiate an inclusive dialogue with all political forces and civil society representatives.
It is worth noting that, since the beginning of 2024, the ‘Georgian Dream’ has effectively suspended the process of Georgia’s accession to the European Union, which has, in turn, led to a deterioration in our relations with Georgia.
At the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, we will focus on this issue to take appropriate measures at the EU level and also consider the consequences of the ‘Georgian Dream’s’ actions in our bilateral relations,” the statement reads.
