4 accused of attacking journalists at Tbilisi Pride counter rally denied bail
The prosecution demanded the use of the most severe measure of restraint against the detainee and asked bail be denied due to the nature of the crime. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
Four defendants who attacked journalists at the Tbilisi Pride march counter rally on July 5 have been denied release on bail.
Three defendants were sent to pre-trial detention for a violent attack on the journalists and cameramen of Tabula, New post agency, TV channels Rustavi 2 and Mtavari Arkhi and the fourth one for the physical assault of the cameramen of Palitranews.
Defendant Zaza Chaava, who hit journalists with a moped, denied the intentional act of violence and blamed it on the malfunction of his vehicle.
Zaza Mchedlidze confessed his offence and blamed his actions on excitement, while another defendant Murad Devdarishvili believes that he didn’t commit violence.
Irakli Kavlashvili, who physically assaulted the cameraman of Palitranews, denies the fact of violence and questions the accuracy of the testimonies.
The prosecution demanded the use of the most severe measure of restraint against the detainee and asked bail be denied due to the nature of the crime.
The defence did not agree with the motion of the prosecutor and demanded their clients’ release on bail.
The pre-trial hearing on the case will be held on September 2.
In total 15 people were arrested for the violent events of July 5.
Three out of 11 right-wing activists detained on July 5 for attacking journalists will face criminal charges, while two detainees have been sentenced to three days of administrative detention.
Eight people have been detained for violence against journalists and attacks on the offices of Tbilisi Pride and the Shame Movement, as well as an explosion at the headquarters of a Tbilisi-based human rights organisations during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally today, the Georgian Interior Ministry reports.
Police are investigating an attack on the offices of Tbilisi Pride and the Shame movement by right-wing groups protesting the Tbilisi Pride march earlier today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced. Civil movement Shame reported that no one was injured in the attack on their office.
Four individuals have been sentenced to two months pre-trial detention for verbally and physically assaulting employees of TV Pirveli and Mtavari TV on July 5 at the counter-rally against the Tbilisi Pride March.
Four more right-wing activists have been arrested for assault, persecution and group violence against journalists and cameramen during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5.
Police have detained one more individual for attacking the Georgian Public Broadcaster cameraman on RustavePolice have detained one more individual for attacking a Georgian Public Broadcaster cameraman on Rustaveli Avenue on July 5 during the counter-rally against the Tbilisi Pride march.li Avenue on July 5 during the counter-rally against the Tbilisi Pride march.
Police have detained one more individual for attacking TV Pirveli cameraman Levan Bregvadze while performing his professional duties near Revaz Tabukashvili and Giorgi Chanturia streets at the Tbilisi pride counter rally on July 5.
Ushangi Datunashvili and Irakli Tsignadze, accused of attacking TV Pirveli and Rustavi 2 cameramen at the Tbilisi Pride march counter rally on July 5, have been denied bail.
Five more people have been arrested for group violence, persecution and assault of journalists and three people have been detained for damaging the office of Tbilisi Pride during a right-wing counter rally on July 5. Three of the 32 detainees from the rally of July 6 were fined for administrative violation, the maximum fine of which is 3,500 GEL (about $1,107/€934).