21 released, 7 remain in custody after yesterday’s clash over Tbilisi Pride
Police kept the radical groups in front of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia to protect the LGBT activists from their aggressive attacks. Photo: Agenda.ge
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28 people were detained for resisting police officers and other petty hooliganism during last night’s demonstration against Tbilisi Pride in front of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia.
The Georgian Interior Ministry reported today that the detainees tried to break the police corton and threw eggs at the peaceful demonstrators supporting LGBT rights. Seven, who were especially aggressive, remain in preliminary detention facilities, while the other 21 left the police department late at night.
The Ministry protects and will further protect the right of assembly, as well as freedom of expression of every person, despite their political views, religious believes, sexual orientation and other features, if their freedom of expression does not exceed the limits granted by law,” the Interior Ministry stated.
The Interior Ministry also underscored in its statement that “the fight against crimes committed with the discriminatory motives and their effective investigation” is among their priorities.
It also stressed that any violence or violent threat committed under this motif is unacceptable. The Ministry also called on all the citizens to obey the law while gathering, otherwise, the law enforcers will act according to the law whenever necessary.
Photo: Agenda.ge
The organisers of Tbilisi Pride, which is set to be held in Tbilisi between June 18-23 to raise the awareness about sexual minorities, decided to gather after the Georgian Patriarchate released a statement condemning the next weeks celebrations and calling on the state officials not to support the LGBT propaganda.
- Read more about yesterday's demonstration here: LGBT activists leave, conservative groups continue rallying
However, some radical groups, including a Georgian businessman Levan Vasadze, who has been rather harsh against the LGBT activists and supporters, came to the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia much earlier to hinder the peaceful demonstrators from exercising their right to freedom of assembly and expression.
LGBT activists left the territory of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia on mini buses provided by the Interior Ministry after the six-hour peaceful demonstration on Friday. The activists demanded protection of their rights during the Tbilisi Pride, which is set to be held in Tbilisi between June 18-23 to raise the awareness about sexual minorities.
Georgian church urge cancellation of event
LGBT Pride Week is set to be held between June 18-23 in Tbilisi to raise the awareness about sexual minorities. The Georgian Patriarchate has urged the government earlier today not to allow the event to take place, “as it is known beforehand that the event will lead to unrest.”
The Georgian Interior Ministry has launched an investigation regarding a threat made by businessman Levan Vasadze last week to create self-organised groups in Tbilisi to prevent the holding of LGBT events during upcoming Tbilisi Pride – a week-long event to raise public awareness about the rights of sexual minorities in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that human rights in Georgia, including those of sexual minorities, are protected and the issue has been “artificially exacerbated.”
Businessman Levan Vasadze, who had earlier called for anti-LGBT activists to form ‘patrols’ to prevent events for Tbilisi Pride, says no such groups will be formed for now. The decision came after the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs earlier yesterday.
Tbilisi Pride will be held despite threats of disruption, event organisers said in a statement released earlier today amid public tension. They say that “informal groups” pose threats to the LGBT events and the state is unable to ensure the rights of supporters and participants of Tbilisi Pride.
Turmoil around the first Tbilisi Pride - a week-long event dedicated to the rights of LGBT individuals - continues as organisers decided yesterday to hold the events despite threats coming from nationalist groups. the organisers said earlier today that LGBT march will not be held on the central streets of Tbilisi.
The March of Dignity will be the final event of Tbilisi Pride Week and will be held tomorrow. Organisers of the event called on supporters through their social media channels to join the march, which was postponed amid the protest rallies in Tbilisi.