One of the doctored photos shown by Real TV on May 20.

It has been revealed late on Friday that photographs released by Tbilisi-based Real TV purportedly showing ex-defense minister and leader of opposition Georgian Party, Irakli Okruashvili, and his associate in Moscow airport is in fact doctored.

The Real TV showed on May 20 two poor quality photos claimed to be taken in one of the Moscow airports on May 19. One of the photos shows a crowd of passengers in what seems to be an airport and among the crowd of passengers a man resembling Okruashvili is also seen.

A poster in one of the most popular Georgian online discussion forums, Forum.ge, however posted late on May 20 what appears to be an original photo, which was then doctored in a way so that to depict on it blurred face of Okruashvili.

The original one, available on public domain (it can be viewed on this link) is AFP/Getty Images photo of Domodedovo airport dated with December, 2010.

AFP/Getty Images photo of Domodedovo airport dated with December, 2010

Another photo, shown by Real TV, also shows a crowd of passengers in an airport and among them faces of two men – one resembling Okruashvili and another one a wealthy Georgian businessman Kote Gogelia, who is affiliated with the Georgian Party.

Another doctored photo shown by Real TV and also used in its report by Rustavi 2 TV.

This photo also seems to be doctored with the original one, also available in public domain, is a file photo of AP showing passengers in Domodedovo airport on which there is no one resembling Okruashvili or his associate. 

A file photo of AP showing passengers in Domodedovo airport

Erosi Kitsmarishvili, a political secretary of the Georgian Party, said earlier on May 21, that the photos were “falsified” by the Real TV and accused the authorities of orchestrated media campaign against his party. The Real TV said that it had obtained the two photos “in internet space.”

After it has been revealed that photos were doctored, Real TV said in a written statement that it “is not responsible” for the authenticity of these photos.