Journalists interrupt Batumi council session with protest of death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava

Media representatives held up photos of the deceased Lekso Lashkarava in front of the Sakrebulo deputies. Photo: Batumelebi.ge. 

Agenda.ge, 15 Jul 2021 - 14:24, Tbilisi,Georgia

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.

Only one member of the council, Archil Mamuladze, condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the journalists. 

The journalists also distributed the inscriptions with the demands. Photo: video grab.  

The council chairman said that the journalists were violating regulations with the protest and described it as ‘very, very bad behaviour.’

Civil activists, media representatives, opposition politicians and NGOs began demanding the resignation of PM Garibashvili the day Lashkarava died.  

The ruling Georgian Dream party accused the opposition of ‘trading in tragedy’ and called them anti-Christian groups. 

A total of 23 people have been detained for physical assault on more than 50 journalists and unlawful interference with their professional activities during the events of July 5.