For Eumm Georgia, the hoax of Imedi TV is “irresponsible” (Maj)

(BRUSSELS2) The European observers deployed in Georgia (EUMM) officially expressed on Tuesday their " concern after the broadcast by Imedi TV of a program "fiction"(a hoax) simulating a new invasion of Russia in Georgia. False invasion of course.

Close monitoring of the situation. Since the broadcast on Sunday, observers have been on alert, “ closely monitoring on the ground the consequences for security and stability » near the "administrative boundaries" of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In particular, they immediately been in contact with Russian border guards and South Ossetian de facto authorities via the Incident Response and Prevention Mechanism hotlines” (IPRM). Security in these areas had improved significantly since the winter of 2008 and remained calm. " However our observers witnessed the anxiety and concern of the local population for their safety explains a press release from EUMM.

"Irresponsible" behavior. " This type of irresponsible program has the potential to seriously destabilize the situation on the "administrative boundaries". Significant and dangerous incidents could occur. We call on everyone in positions of responsibility to fully consider the implications of their actions in the future. » explains the head of the EUMM mission, thus being able to implicitly target the Georgian President, Saakashvili, who has not really condemned the Imedi television program, directed by one of his relatives. "It must be in everyone's interest to ensure that security and stability are maintained. concludes EUMM Georgia.

(Updated March 17) Georgian side. In a statement issued on March 17, the Georgian government also “expresses its serious concern about the irresponsible decision taken by Imedi Television to broadcast a fake news bulletin about a Russian invasion. The false report has reopened the wounds of Georgians among whom the tragic memories of the recent war are still very vivid. Everyone in Georgia is free to express themselves, but what Imedi has done is an attack on what we consider civic and civilized behavior.”

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)