The Paris-based lobby group for media rights Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) said it was concerned about the continued detention of journalist Malkhaz Basilaia of Tbilisi-based Mze TV.

Malkhaz Basilaia, and two other Georgians, were arrested and charged by the Abkhaz side for “illegally crossing the border” on February 26.
 
“We urge the Abkhaz authorities to provide a more detailed explanation of this arrest and we urge the Georgian authorities to try to defuse the situation,” Reporters Sans Frontieres said in a statement on February 28. “It is necessary to maintain a climate that favours negotiations.”