Golden witness of the Prosecutor`s Office sues Rustavi 2 journalists and former head of criminal police for reporting on the "Courier". The oral statement made by Irakli Mamaladze on Sunday was enough for the Chief Prosecutor"s Office to start a criminal case on a weekend.

Mamaladze decided to sue the "Courier"after it publicised a letter sent by the former senior official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from prison. In the letter, Irakli Pirtskhalava, former head of the criminal police, says that during the years Irakli Mamaladze has been an agent of the security service.

Despite the fact that Mamaladze himself wasinterviewed in the same news coverage he complained against Rustavi 2. After receiving a letter sent by Irakli Pirtskhalava, "Rustavi 2" checked the information with Irakli Mamaladze himself. In a live broadcast, he responded to the allegation with extensive statements and publicly denied the information. The leadership of Rustavi 2 considers that the charge is absurd.

Irakli Pirtskhalava`s attorney notes that the fact that the prosecution immediately started the investigation indicated that they want to protect the main witness of the case.

The results of the investigation are expected by representatives of the civil sector who speak about the threat to the freedom of speech.