According to reports, on February 21, 2017, the website of the online media outlet Guria News collapsed due to a hacker attack and all of its information was deleted. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an investigation was launched under the first parts of Article 284 (unauthorized access to a computer system) and Article 286 (interference with the computer data and/or computer system) of the Criminal Code of Georgia. Currently, a new website of Guria News is operating in a test mode.

Unimpeded work of journalists is important for the freedom of media and free dissemination of information. For these purpose, it is necessary the law enforcement authorities to timely and effectively respond to the incident and relevantly punish the offenders. The Public Defender will follow the progress of the investigation into the hacker attack.