Ruling Party MP Slams Media Coverage of High-Profile Trial
Most of the television stations have covered a trial of Giorgi Zerekidze and developments aftermath in a biased manner, an influential lawmaker from the ruling National Movement Party Nika Gvaramia said on March 20.
A verdict by the Court of Appeals on March 19 cutting prison term from 10 to 7 years to Giorgi Zerekidze, 14, angered the latter?s relatives and activists from the human rights group Equality Institute which resulted into a fist-fight with court marshals.
Jaba Jishkariani, an activist from the Equality Institute, was arrested by court marshals and then sentenced by the court to a one-month prison term for insulting the court and for violating order in the courtroom. Some other activists from the same group, including Giorgi Khaindrava, ex-State Minister, were fined GEL 500. The same fine was imposed on Tina Khidasheli of the opposition Republican Party.
Speaking at a news conference MP Nika Gvaramia said that the quarrel in the courtroom was triggered after prosecutor was insulted, ?but none of the TV companies have covered this episode.?
He also complained that during the March 19 media coverage, as he put it, ?a trivial trial? has overshadowed more important events which occurred on the same day, including a meeting between President Saakashvili and alternative South Ossetian leader Dimitri Sanakoev.
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