A secret recording of a telephone conversation between Rustavi 2 Director General Nika Gvaramia and politician Paata Burchuladze was released on September 14, 2016. Similar cases are negatively seen in the pre-election period, when healthy media environment and existence of factors determining free and fair elections are of particular importance.

It is unfortunate that impunity of previous cases encourages each subsequent incident. It should also be noted that 187 days have passed since the release of a video recording showing private life of one of the politicians, though offenders who committed the crime, especially those who released the recording, have not yet been identified and brought to justice.

The investigative authorities must immediately investigate this and previous cases of illegal production and release of secret recordings and timely inform the public of the measures taken as well as the results of the investigation.

The Public Defender will monitor the progress of the investigation of the above-mentioned facts.