Last of five individuals accused of attacking TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava denied bail
Davit Kutaladze will face criminal charges for unlawful interference with a journalist’s professional activities and for participation in group violence. Photo: Gela Bochikashvili/RFE/RL.
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Tbilisi City Court has denied bail to Davit Kutaladze – the latest of five individuals accused of attacking TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava and journalist Miranda Bagaturia on July 5 during the Tbilisi Pride counter-rally to come before the court.
TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava was attacked during the siege of the office of the Shame Movement. He received a concussion, facial bone fractures and multiple bruises, and passed away at home on July 11.
Kutaladze will face criminal charges for unlawful interference with a journalist’s professional activities and for participation in group violence.
Davit Kutaladze has pled innocent and denied the charges brought against him.
A total of five individuals have been detained for the violence against Lashkarava and Bagaturia; four of the other five were denied bail on July 9.
Foreign officials and media organisations have demanded an impartial investigation into the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was attacked by right wing protesters on July 5 during the Tbilisi Pride counter-rally and later passed away on July 11.
Journalists and cameramen took the podium today during a briefing of Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia, and held a minute of silence in protest of the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. Deputy Health Minister Gabunia was going to introduce the latest decisions of today's Interagency Council Meeting before the incident took place.
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.
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.
The US Department of State has called on Georgian leaders to publicly condemn recent violence against journalists and to protect their right to freedom of the press, following violent attacks at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5, where TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava was beaten up by right-wing protesters and later was found dead at home on July 11.
Four TV stations – TV Pirveli, Mtavari Arkhi, Formula and Kavkasia – have stopped broadcasting for 24 hours, silently protesting violence against journalists on July 5 at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally which was followed by the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. The TV stations are also demanding the resignation of Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili.
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 Lekso Lashkarava, who was beaten severely at the July 5 Tbilisi pride counter rally and later passed away on July 11, and one for physically assaulting a citizen on Rustaveli Avenue the same day.
Police have detained a 34-year-old man for the violent attack on a Public Broadcaster cameraman at the Tbilisi Pride march counter rally on July 5. The investigation established that the detainee verbally and physically assaulted the cameraman while performing his professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue.
Tbilisi City Court has obliged the opposition-minded TV Pirveli to pay compensation for moral damage to police officer Gela Kvashilava after the television company accused him of drug trafficking. TV Pirveli spread the allegations on January 30.