The civil sector calls on the Chief Prosecutor"s Office to focus on the discriminatory motives of attack on Rustavi 2 journalists and consider it as an aggravating circumstance.

The statement signed by four NGOs says that on March 19, the purpose of verbal and physical assault by members of the "Georgian Marsh" was to intimidate journalists of the TV company.

Civil society believes that it was an attemt to stop journalists to express their views guaranteed by the riight of freedom of expression.

" It is important to carry out the investigation under Article 53 of the Criminal Code, which implies indications of discrimination as a qualifying circumstance. This will be important for consideration in the court and at the moment of determination of responsibility for the persons, "-said Giorgi Mshvenieradze, chairman of the NGO" Georgian Democratic Initiative ".