Journalists hold rallies in Tblisi, Batumi, stating they'll in danger while PM Garibashvili rules the country
In an official letter to Charles Michel journalists say that high-ranking officials are discrediting them and that they are ‘targets of insult’. Photo: Eka Lordkipanidze/RFE/RL.
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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.
Protest rallies of journalists has started in Georgia following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava.
Lashkarava, 36, who was attacked in the office of the Shame Movement by over 30 right-wing activists during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on June 5, had received a concussion, facial bone fractures and multiple bruises and went under medical surgery.
During the rally Journalists of Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli, Kavkasia and Formula TV channels have also addressed the European Council President Charles Michel, who is visiting Georgia for the 17th International Conference – Georgia’s European Way.
In an official letter to Charles Michel journalists say that high-ranking officials are discrediting them and that they are ‘objects of insult’. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/RFE/RL.
You should know that as long as this man, Irakli Garibashvili is the PM of Georgia, the lives of almot all journalists and citizens are in danger, as well as the dignity and free future of the country. You are meeting a man like this today and we want you to know the truth”, said journalists who gathered at the Government Administration building.
The letter also reads that PM Garibashvili is responsible for the punitive actions against journalists and civil activists that took place on July 5-6 in Tbilisi during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally.
Dozens of civil activists have also gathered today before the start of Batumi International Conference to protest the violent attacks on journalists on July 5.
‘No to violence’, ‘Homophobia kills’, ‘Democracy is in jeopardy’ – these were the main massages of the rally members to the high-ranking officials from Europe.
The conference was attended by the President of the European Council and the presidents of Moldova, and Ukraine.
'Here should have been the speech of the Prime Minister of Georgia' - reads the caption. Photo: video grab.
Mtavari Arkhi has stopped broadcasting Batumi International Conference during the speech of PM Garibashvili.
“Here should have been the speech of the Prime Minister of Georgia”, the caption appeared on the screen.
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.
Ambassadors of 25 EU countries have called on the Georgian government ‘to uphold the rule of law and to act in effective prevention of any future attempts at such criminal acts,’ following the violent events of July 5, where right-wing protesters attacked and assaulted journalists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally, removed the EU flag twice from its position in front of parliament and burnt it.
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.
A Palitranews cameraman who was attacked by right wing activists earlier today has undergone an operation at New Hospitals and is being taken to the med ward at this time. Head of the New Hospitals emergency service Mikheil Beriashvili said that the patient had a head injury and a broken nose.
Reporters from Georgian outlets are holding a protest near Mtatsminda Park in Tbilisi with demands of repercussions for violent individuals who attacked media professionals in the capital on July 5.
Droa political movement has held a rally in front of the Administration of the Government of Georgia demanding the resignation of Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili and the punishment of those responsible for violence against media at the July 5 Tbilisi pride counter rally.
The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has called on the Georgian government not to encourage attacks on media following Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s accusations against journalists of ‘psychological violence.’
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.