Physical force was exerted against a cameraman of Info 9 yesterday in Lanchkhuti, on August 15, 2012. Cameraman Davit Chavleishvili suffered injuries while carrying out his professional activities. Footage shows that a young man was intimidated by questions that the camera crew was asking while capturing on video-camera passengers of a mini-bus parked outside the local municipality. First he screamed at the journalist and then hit the camera with his hand in an attempt to stop the video recording. As a result of his actions, the cameraman of Info 9, Davit Chavleishvili suffered an injury in his face. Later he was taken to the hospital. Further, equipment of the agency has been damaged.

We believe that the incident shows signs of a criminal offense. We call on the law enforcement authorities to immediately launch investigation into the fact of damaging property, interfering with professional activities of a journalist and inflicting bodily injuries.