US DoS calls on Georgian leaders to publicly condemn violence following death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava
A total of 21 people have been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of violence against journalists on July 5. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.
We extend our deepest condolences to your former colleague Lekso Lashkarava, to his family, loved ones, and of course to his colleagues... We’re closely following the reports concerning his death. We do call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life, in this case, the death of your colleague,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.
.@StateDeptSpox on violence in Georgia: We remind Georgia's leaders and its law enforcement of their responsibility to protect all of those exercising their constitutional rights. We remind them of their responsibility to protect journalists exercising freedom of the press. pic.twitter.com/MSdZAfM62W
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 13, 2021
Ned Price also said that ‘[we] do not preview sanctions before they enact them,’ answering a question concerning possible personal sanctions against several Georgian officials, ‘who were directly responsible for the violence on July 5.’
We have a number of tools to hold accountable those responsible in some way for human rights abuses, for violence around the world. Sanctions are indeed one of those tools. As you know, we don’t preview sanctions before we enact them. But we are following the situation very closely, and we are committed to seeing that those responsible for this are held accountable,” Ned Price noted.
Price also reiterated the importance of conducting an investigation to ‘bring the perpetrators of this horrific crime’ to justice and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
He also noted that the issue concerning the demands of the resignation of Prime Minister Garibashvili is up to the Georgian people, saying that ‘his future is a decision for the Georgian people.’
A total of 21 people have been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of violence against journalists on July 5.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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 US Department of State has called on Georgian leaders and law enforcement ‘to protect the constitutional right to freedom of expression’ following violent attacks against journalists and civic activists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally by right-wing protesters on July 5.
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.
Journalists crashed the opening of a Batumi sakrebulo (city council) session earlier today, protesting the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was found dead on July 11 after he was violently attacked by right-wing groups on July 5 during the Tbilisi Pride march counter-rally. The journalists demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the punishment of all guilty parties. Media representatives also held up photos of the deceased Lekso Lashkarava in front of the Sakrebulo deputies.