Statement of Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics about the fact of attack on Zura Vardiashvili, editor of Liberali. He said that on the evening of 15th of September he was physically attacked by a group of 5-6 people. The investigation is ongoing by the 126th article (violence). Even though several days have passed since the attack, the investigation has not yet announced results to the audience. According to the first information, attackers mistook Zura Vardiashvili with a different person and the attack was not connected to his professional work.

The Charter thinks that it is important to inform the society, investigate the case quickly, and punish perpetrators of crime to avoid suspicions. Charter asks Georgian Prosecutor’s office to fulfill its responsibility and give Zura Vardiashvili status of a victim (he just has a status of a witness for now), because we have a case of crime, have a victim and possible criminals. Status of victim will give Vardiashvili and his lawyer to get acquainted to the case files, which will make sure that he protects his interests and give society an information whether Liberali editor was attacked because of his professional work or not.

The Charter asks responsible institutions to fulfill required actions in a timely and adequate manner and asks the media to give society full information.