Journalists protest in parliament demanding punishment of July 5 violence instigators, resignation of PM
Georgian Parliament Speaker Kuchava pledged that the parliament will ‘really be’ a place where journalists have the opportunity to ask critical questions. Photo: 1tv.ge.
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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 Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava responded to the journalists’ protests and vowed that the criminals of the July 5 violent events will be punished.
He also asked media representatives to carry out the journalistic activities ‘in the same way as before’ and called on them not to allow the disruption of the session anymore.
Kuchava also pledged that the parliament will ‘really be’ a place where journalists have the opportunity to ask critical questions.
My request will be to get back to work, you have the right to protest, which you have implemented, but allow the session to continue in accordance with the rules and regulations,” said Kuchava to the journalists.
Journalists held up the banner ‘punish the offenders’ on July 18 as well, when the Georgian interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri’s hearing was scheduled in the parliament regarding violent attacks of July 5 and measures taken by the police.
However, the hearing was disrupted due to the commotion in the parliament caused by the opposition politicians protest.
The Georgian revenue service has started inspecting the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi’s advertising company following the accusations of ruling party head Irakli Kobakhidze that three TV stations are funded with ‘black money.’ Head and founder of Mtavari Arkhi Nika Gvaramia linked the launch of the investigation to an attempt to falsify upcoming elections and noted that other media outlets face the same threat.
Prime Minister Garibashvili has called journalists ‘party activists’ earlier today in response to inquiries into whether he would take responsibility for the attacks on journalists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5 and leave the post following demands for his resignation from the opposition, NGOs and media representatives. PM Garibashvili responded to journalists’ questions earlier today saying: ‘...unfortunately, TV stations have been transformed into departments of party organisations.’
The ruling Georgian Dream party will decide who is responsible for the violent events of July 5, Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri said on TV channel Rustavi 2 yesterday, responding to recent demands for his resignation from the opposition, journalists and NGOs.
A total of 36 NGOs and opposition parties have called on Georgian Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava to break the silence on violence against opposition female MPs by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s MPs during an incident which took place at the parliament session on July 18.
Ushangi Datunashvili and Irakli Tsignadze, accused of attacking TV Pirveli and Rustavi 2 cameramen at the Tbilisi Pride march counter rally on July 5, have been denied bail.
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.
Journalists have gathered in Batumi holding banners ‘media under attack’ as the plane of European Council President Charles Michel has landed in the Black Sea town.
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.
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, civil activists and politicians have again gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi demanding Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s resignation, following the death of 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.