Over 200 journalists call on Prosecutor’s Office to launch investigation into violence against journalists on July 5
Journalists also have called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to disclose the source of funding for right-wing media outlet Alt-Info. Photo: IPN.
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Over 200 media representatives have called on the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to launch an investigation into the violence against dozens of journalists by right-wing activists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5.
Journalists have also called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to disclose the source of funding for right-wing media outlet Alt-Info.
A total of 53 journalists and employees of various media outlets were injured while covering the rally of right wing activists against the Tbilisi Pride march on July 5.
Journalists also have called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to disclose the source of funding for right-wing media outlet Alt-Info.
Formula TV journalist Vakho Sanaia said in carrying out the searches today, the Georgian government is trying to show the public that it is ‘doing something’ about the case, but the Interior Ministry will have to detain ‘members of their own organized groups’.
Following our [journalists of various media outlets] protests and the response of the international community, the Georgian government started to create a background as if it is doing something… This is actually a retreat. We [journalists] will not stop and will not tolerate, as we have footage where crime is directly visible”, said Sanaia.
Police have taken several instigators of the Tbilisi Pride counter rally in for questioning after searching their homes earlier today.
Among the individuals taken in for questioning are right-wing activist Guram Palavandishvili and his son Aleksandre Palavandishvili.
Police also searched the apartment of the founder of right-wing media outlet Alt-Info Zurab Makharadze, who has also been taken to the police station together with Shota Martinenko, Giorgi Kardava, Irakli Kizilashvili and Koka Morgoshia – all members of Alt-Info.
After six hours of interrogation Guram Palavandishvili, Zurab Makharadze and archpriest Tskipurishvili have left the Tbilisi Main Police Department. All three individuals interrogated today say they did not commit any violence during the counter rally on July 5. Makharadze said that 'if there is pressure from the US ambassador and ambassadors of the European countries' he could not rule out being arrested.
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.
Georgian president condemns violence during today’s events
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has released a statement following today's events in the capital city of Tbilisi in which she condemns the violence and persecution of people on the basis of difference of opinion, sexuality or gender identity.
Journalists of various media outlets have held rallies in Tbilisi and Batumi before the start of the Batumi International Conference , stating that they will be in danger while Irakli Garibashvili is the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Police have detained two individuals for attacking Formula TV photographer Vakho Kareli while performing his professional duties during the Tbilisi pride counter rally on July 5.
Journalists have held a protest in Georgian parliament earlier today demanding the punishment of individuals who attacked journalists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5 and the resignation of Prime Minister Garibashvili. Journalists held up a banner ‘punish offenders’ and photos of deceased TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was brutally beaten up by right-wing protesters at the counter rally.
Georgian telecommunication provider Silknet has agreed to air and include in all its packages right-wing media outlet Alt-Info after months of a dispute caused by the outbreak of violence at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5. Alt-Info has been actively expressing and encouraging violence and aggresion against Tbilisi Pride march while founders of the media outlet were participating in the counter rally on July 5.
The Georgian right-wing media outlet Alt-Info founders have failed to register the political party Conservative Movement, which they established on November 20, by National Agency of Public Registry due to mistakes made while filling out the application form.