18 June 2020, 23:56
Georgian journalist Giorgi Gabuniya refuses to apologize to President Putin
Georgian journalist Giorgi Gabuniya has rejected a new demand for an apology, voiced by the leader of Chechnya. Law enforcers should ensure the safety of Giorgi Gabuniya and investigate a case on preparation of a murder attempt on him, states the Prime Minister of Georgia.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 16, the State Security Service of Georgia reported about the detention of a Russian citizen in a case on the preparation of the murder attempt. Giorgi Gabuniya was presumably to fall victim. Ramzan Kadyrov called the version a "fable," but noted that Giorgi Gabuniya remained his enemy. The leader of Chechnya advised Giorgi Gabuniya to "kneel down and ask for forgiveness."
On the air of the "Pirveli" TV Company, Giorgi Gabuniya said that he would not apologize.
In July 2019, Giorgi Gabuniya used bad language while speaking about Russian President Vladimir Putin on the air of the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel. After the incident, Ramzan Kadyrov stated that the top-ranking officials of Georgia were to apologize to President Putin and Russia.
The international organization "Reporters Without Borders" called on to conduct an investigation "absolutely independent of the Russian authorities" into the murder attempt on Giorgi Gabuniya. "No matter how outrageous and shocking, the Giorgi Gabuniya's comments do not in any way justify a murder attempt or threats," said Jeanne Cavelier, the head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia office of the "Reporters Without Borders" as quoted by the "Sova".
Earlier, President Salome Zurabishvili has called the murder attempt prevented by the secret services an attempt to destabilize the situation in Georgia.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 18, 2020 at 07:45 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
