Update: interior minister’s parliamentary address on July 5-6 violence postponed amid opposition protest [Video]
The opposition MPs took the podium when Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri extended his condolences over TV PIrveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava’s death. Photo: Shot from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty video
Tweet 
Share
Updated at 15:16
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri’s parliamentary address on the violence of July 5-6 in Tbilisi has been postponed due to an opposition protest.
Earlier at 14:35
Some opposition MPs have left the parliament session in protest of Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, who is scheduled to talk about the violence of July 5-6 in Tbilisi.
1TV.ge has shared a video footage of today's session:
Holding the photos of the late TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was one of the 53 media representatives attacked by the right-wing groups during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally, opposition United National Movement MPs said the government should resign.
The only statement that the society expects from you Mr. Vakhtang is that you and [Prime Minister] Irakli Garibashvili should resign", UNM member Tina Bokuchava addressed Minister Gomelauri.
Director of Tbilisi Pride has tweeted:
MP @shpapuashvili from GD had an audacity to touch female opposition politician and remove her by using force, as if she was a statue..
— Giorgi Tabagari (@Tabagari) July 18, 2021
Would he do the same if there was a male MP instead?! I don't think so!
Shame! #GeorgiaCrisis #TbilisiPogrom #JusticeForLekso pic.twitter.com/blpfxF22cu
The opposition MPs took the podium when Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri extended his condolences over Lashkarava’s death.
Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava announced a technical break several times calling on the protesters to take out the photos and banners.
Droa Movement has tweeted:
Right before Minister of IA Gomelauri has to answer questions regarding the disturbing violence of July 5 & 6 that ????????n govt. could not prevent, parliament has issued a shameful statement that entry into the building will be restricted "in order to prevent possible provocations". pic.twitter.com/LewsiBHvna
— Droa (@MovementDroa) July 18, 2021
He also offered the MPs to postpone the interior minister’s hearing if they will not manage to continue the session peacefully.
If we are not ready to proceed further , I will suspend the session", Kuchava addressed the opposition.
Kuchava also reminded them that today's session aimed at asking question to the interior minister and receiving his answers over the recent developments in Tbilisi.
The banner hanging over the parliamentary session reads: 'punish the offenders' and 'take political responsibility'. Photo: Inga Grigolia/Facebook
Meanwhile, journalists gathered outside the parliament demanding to be allowed to attend the session and ask Minister Gomelauri why he failed to protect the protesters from the violent right-wing groups during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally.
We will not stop the protest until the offenders are punished”, TV Pirveli anchor Inga Grigolia wrote on Facebook, adding that the media is the ‘strongest power’.
Other accredited journalists who managed to enter the parliament held photos of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava.