One more detained for assaulting TV Pirveli cameraman at Tbilisi Pride counter rally
TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was beaten severely at the July 5 Tbilisi pride counter rally and later passed away less then a week later, was laid to rest on July 13. Photo: Rustavi 2
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Police have detained yet another individual for the violent attack on TV PIrveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava during the Tbilisi Pride counter rally.
Lashkarava, 36, who was attacked in the office of the Shame Movement by over 30 right-wing activists on June 5, was found dead at his home several days later.
- Media, public bid farewell to July 5 Tbilisi Pride counter-rally victim, cameraman Lekso Lashkarava
- PM calls journalists ‘party activists’ in response to inquiry into responsibility for attacks on journalists, resignation
He had received a concussion, facial bone fractures and multiple bruises and went under medical surgery.
The investigation is underway to find out the exact reason of his death, however, the interior ministry claims Lashkarava died due to a drug overdose not from his injuries.
The investigation into Lashkarava’s death has started under the Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Georgia – ‘incitement to suicide’. The forensic examination to define the exact reason of his death is also underway. Photo: Shot from TV Pirveli video
However, various media companies accuse Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili of encouraging violence during the Tbilisi Pride counter rallies earlier this month, as well as Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri - for failing to protect the protesters.
- Interior minister’s parliamentary address on July 5-6 violence postponed amid opposition protest
- Georgian interior minister on opposition demands: I will resign if ruling party decides so
Demanding the PM's resignation, journalists, civil activists and opposition have held protest rallies following Lashkarava’s death.
A total of 29 individuals have been arrested for unlawful interference with the journalist’s professional activities. The interior ministry says that investigation is underway to identify and arrest others involved in the crime.
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.
“The Georgian church has been the target of severe attacks from certain forces”, the Georgian patriarchate has stated earlier today, adding that the situation became ‘even more tense and aggressive’ in Georgian media following the July 5-6 demonstrations in Tbilisi.
TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was beaten severely at the July 5 Tbilisi pride counter rally and later passed away on July 11, will be buried today at Jikia cemetery in Tbilisi. Today a procession was held in honour of the memory of Lashkarava. During the procession, Lashkarava's body was led through a 'camera corridor' made by cameramen of various media outlets.
Transparency International (TI) Georgia and International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) say violent posters in the streets of Tbilisi pose a threat to the health and life of the opposition and media representatives.
A sixth individual detained for attacking now-deceased TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava at the Tbilisi Pride march counter rally on July 5 has been denied release on bail. The prosecution demanded the use of the most severe measure of restraint against Gia Giguashvili due to the nature of the crime.