NGOs demand immediate resignation of PM, MIA due to death of TV Pirveli cameraman
TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava was attacked on July 5 by Tbilisi Pride counter protesters. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava earlier today, 19 NGOs have demanded the immediate resignation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri, due to ‘the severe consequences of the violence on July 5.’
The political responsibility…lies with the government, which has in fact refused to perform its function to protect human health and life. Therefore, the undersigned organisations request at least: the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri,” the statement says.
The undersigned organizations request at least immediate resignation of the PM @GharibashviliGe and @MIAofGeorgia Vakhtang Gomelauri. Bringing all organizers, participants, and instigators of violence, regardless of their status, to justice.https://t.co/Hzn6RuySOZ
— Transparency Int'l GE (@Transparency_GE) July 11, 2021
TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava was attacked on July 5 by Tbilisi Pride counter protesters.
The statement also says that the government didn’t ‘take measures to stop the violent groups’ and on the contrary, encouraged the violence with the statement of the PM that ‘holding the Tbilisi pride march was unreasonable. ‘
The [PM] called on the organisers of the March for Dignity not to march on Rustaveli Avenue, instead of blaming the members of the counter-rally for the possible escalation of the situation,” NGOs stated.
The statement of NGOs expressed its utmost concern and sorrow over the passing of Lekso Lashkarava and offered its condolences to his family and loved ones.
The signatories of the statement are:
- Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI)
- Governance Monitoring Centre (GMC)
- Sapari
- Society and Banks
- Media Development Fund (MDF)
- Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS)
- The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)
- Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC)
- Human Rights Centre (HRC)
- Social Justice Centre
- Atlantic Council of Georgia
- Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA)
- Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia)
- International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
- Centre for Research Journalism and Economic Analytics
- UN Association of Georgia (UNAG)
- Green Alternative
- Tbilisi Pride
- Democracy Research Institute (DRI)
An investigation has been launched in the death of Lekso Lashkarava, under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – incitement to suicide, the Interior Ministry announced earlier today.
Over 50 journalists were physically and verbally assaulted by right-wing protesters of the Tbilisi Pride march on July 5.