'Violence is unacceptable!'
Georgian president condemns violence during today’s events
President Zurabishvili stated that violence against media representatives and obstruction of professional activities, as well as intrusion into and attacks on the offices of public organisations, are unacceptable. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has released a statement following today's events in the capital city of Tbilisi in which she condemns the violence and persecution of people on the basis of difference of opinion, sexuality or gender identity.
Violence is unacceptable. I condemn today’s events and any form of violence over difference of ideas or gender identity. Everyone has the constitutional right to express their opinion. I call on all to act within the Constitution and not provoke violence through radical actions.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 5, 2021
Zurabishvili stated that violence against media representatives and obstruction of professional activities, as well as intrusion into and attacks on the offices of public organisations, are unacceptable.
I call on everyone to show restraint and the authorities to ensure public order and to prevent any violent acts", said Zurabishvili.
Right wing activists gathered on Rustaveli Avenue this morning to protest the Tbilisi Pride march that was scheduled for 6 p.m. today. They attacked journalists and cameramen on the spot and injured dozens of media representatives. They stormed the office of Tbilisi Pride. Director of Tbilisi Pride Giorgi Tabagari posted a video on his Twitter account, showing the destroyed office.
❗️This is how our office looks like after todays attack. @GovernmentGeo and @MIAofGeorgia failed to protect people and didn't stop aggressive groups to destroy our property..#TbilisiPride21 #Georgia #Pride pic.twitter.com/mLADg7BMgP
— Giorgi Tabagari (@Tabagari) July 5, 2021
Organisers of the Tbilisi Pride march cancelled the event, citing 'shameful' comments by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and 'inaction' from the interior ministry to ensure safety for participants in the face of a right-wing counter-demonstration in the capital.
Twenty-one embassies and international organisations in Georgia have published a joint statement condemning violence in Tbilisi, as well as the 'failure of the government leaders and religious officials' to condemn this violence.
NGOs and opposition politicians have also stated that the inaction of the government and inflammatory statements by Garibashvili regarding the Tbilisi Pride march encouraged violence by right-wing groups against civic activists and media representatives.
Police are investigating an attack on the offices of Tbilisi Pride and the Shame movement.