Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia responds to the information disseminated by Rustavi 2 regarding the assault on the Journalist Eka Gagua and Operator Levan Kalandia by the representatives of Regional Office of the 23rd Bureau of the Chinese Railway in connection with the possible physical abuse of journalists and the possible interference in their professional activities.

''There are number of cases when the aggressive statements are made against TV company Rustavi 2 and its journalists (https://bit.ly/2NzzXwu). In this regard, the high ranking officials and deputies are particularly distinguished and often these statements go beyond the ethics.

Accordingly, we urge the authorities to comply with the obligation specified by law and refrain from verbal attacks against critical media and journalists, because such statements and attitudes are encouraging violence against journalists'', is noted in the statement.

Source: The webpage of the organization in a social network