The authorities have already taken the founder of other independent media outlets hostage by detaining her.

Batumelebi and Netgazeti often report critically and are clearly a target of repressive measures. Now Publika is singled out.

The SJC commented: "It is particularly unacceptable that he interferes in the content of critical media work. It is alarming that the ruling party perceives media coverage of protests as the promotion of crime, which is entirely contrary to the principles of free media and freedom of expression".