Int’l community sends condolences over death of TV Pirveli cameraman
People protesting the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava in front of the parliament. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Foreign embassies in Georgia and international organisations have sent condolences to the Georgian public following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was beaten up by Tbilisi Pride counter demonstrators on July 5.
The United States Embassy in Georgia extended its condolences to the family of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and called for ‘calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life.’
His bravery as he defended his colleague and his commitment to the fundamental freedoms long cherished in this country represent the best qualities and traditions of the people of Georgia,” the US embassy to Georgia said.
We call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life. https://t.co/EeNFr46ZoY
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) July 11, 2021
The Embassy of Sweden in Georgia also responded to the passing of the TV Pirveli cameraman and offered its ‘deepest condolences to TV Pirveli journalist’s Aleksandre Lashkarava's family, friends and colleagues.’
???????? fully supports statement by @CarlHartzellEU. We offer deepest condolences to @TvPirveli journalist’s Aleksandre Lashkarava's family, Friends & colleagues. ???????? condemns any kind of violence. Media freedom & safety of journalists are democratic values that must be protected. pic.twitter.com/MdelK87rqg
— Sweden in Georgia (@SwedeninGE) July 11, 2021
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell reiterated ‘the EU’s strong condemnation of all violence and unwavering support to the freedom of media and assembly.’
ჩემი დღევანდელი კომენტარი, ტელეკომპანია პირველის ოპერატორის, ბ-ნ ლექსო ლაშქარავას ტრაგიკული გარდაცვალების შესახებ ინფორმაციის მიღების შემდეგ:
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) July 11, 2021
My comments today upon learning about the tragic death of Pirveli TV cameraman Lekso Lashkarava: pic.twitter.com/bFWrNKxccE
The Dutch Ambassador to Georgia Maaike van Koldam fully supported Carl Hartzell’s statement and condemned ‘any kind of violence, including against journalists and violence inspired by homophobia.’
My full support to this statement. I am shocked by the death of cameraman Lekso Lashkarava who was attacked on 5th July during the planned Pride events. My condolences to his family. I condemn any kind of violence, incl against journalists and violence inspired by homophobia. https://t.co/hLkJgIpk2h
— Maaike van Koldam (@MaaikevanKoldam) July 11, 2021
The United Nations in Georgia also expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Lekso Lashkarava and underlined that ‘media freedom and safety of journalists must be protected in Georgia.’
????????Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Aleksandre Lashkarava, cameraman for @TvPirveli who passed away on 11 July. Media freedom and safety of journalists must be protected in Georgia.
— UN in Georgia (@ungeorgia) July 11, 2021
French Ambassador to Georgia Diego Colas also tweeted on ongoing events in Georgia and expressed his full agreement with Carl Hartzell’s statement.
Am heartbroken to learn the death of journalist Lekso Lashkarava, severely injured Monday fulfilling his mission to inform during the homophobic violence on 7/5. My condoleances to his family+ colleagues. Freedom of assembly+ press, fight vs discrimination+ hate, no to violence
— Diégo Colas (@ColasDiego) July 11, 2021
Expressing his deepest condolences, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar noted that such violence against the media has no place in a democratic society.
This is a tragic story. Such violence in general and against free media in particular has no place in a democratic society. Important that there is a thorough investigation. My deepest condolences. https://t.co/lwo3k2oR5S
— Toivo Klaar (@ToivoKlaar) July 11, 2021
Following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, an investigation has been launched under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – incitement to suicide.
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. TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava was attacked on July 5 by Tbilisi Pride counter protesters.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has named drug overdose as a possible reason for the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava earlier today.
A protest rally will be held in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi at 6 p. m. demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili after TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava was found dead earlier today.
TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, 36, was found dead at home this morning. Lashkarava was one of the 53 media representatives who were attacked by right-wing groups during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on June 5.
Representatives of various media organisations have gathered in front of the building of the government administration on Ingorokva Street to pay tribute to TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was attacked on June 5 by a group of Tbilisi Pride counter rally protesters, and who died earlier today, presumably due to his injuries.
Journalists, civil activists and politicians have gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi to pay tribute to the late TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and demand Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s resignation.
Police have detained one more individual who attacked TV Pirveli journalists in the office of the Shame Movement in Tbilisi on July 5 during the counter-rally against the Tbilisi Pride march. The Ministry of Internal Affair reports that in total 20 people have been arrested for verbally and physically assaulting media representatives on July 5 of which five are detained for attacking the TV Pirveli crew.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili responded to yesterday's rally of journalists, civil activists and politicians who gathered in front of the parliament building to pay tribute to TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and demand Garibashvili’s resignation. Garibashvili said that 'they tried to use this tragedy to achieve their own political goals'.
The Georgian ruling party has accused the opposition of ‘trading by tragedy’ following the death of the TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was found dead yesterday after being attacked by right-wing counter protesters of the Tbilisi Pride march on July 5. The head of the ruling party Irakli Kobakhidze said earlier today that the organisers of yesterday's rally, protesting the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, are the leaders of radical, anti-Christian groups, ‘who decided to score points on the death of the colleague.’
Ambassadors of 25 EU countries have called on the Georgian government ‘to uphold the rule of law and to act in effective prevention of any future attempts at such criminal acts,’ following the violent events of July 5, where right-wing protesters attacked and assaulted journalists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally, removed the EU flag twice from its position in front of parliament and burnt it.