14:45, 8 July 2021

Count of attackers on journalists in Tbilisi rises to eight

Participant of a rally in support of journalists in Tbilisi, July 6, 2021. Photo by Beslan Kmuzov for the Caucasian Knot

Five detainees have been charged with assaulting journalists during protests against the gay parade in Tbilisi, bringing the total count thereof up to eight, the Prosecutor’s Office has informed.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that from July 1 to 5, the LGBT community held the LGBT Week in Tbilisi, which was planned to end with the “March of Dignity” in the city centre. On July 5, LGBT opponents blocked Rustaveli Avenue. Their protest action turned into an attack on journalists, and as a result, 53 journalists were injured.

On the evening of July 6, Tbilisi hosted an action in support of victims of violence which took place on July 5, and a contraction action of LGBT opponents was held nearby. The Tbilisi Police detained more than 100 people for the administrative offenses committed during the action of opponents of the gay parade.

Five more detainees have been accused of violence and harassment of media professionals at actions against the “Tbilisi Pride”, which were held on July 5 and 6, the Georgian Prosecutor's Office has informed.

According to investigators, the defendants were verbally insulting and beating up the journalists and cameramen of the TV Companies “Mtavari Arkhi”, “Pirveli” and “Palitra News”, and forced them to stop filming. These people were detained on July 6 and 7, the Office has stated.

In total, charges were brought against eight persons within the case of attacking journalists on July 5 and 6, the “Sputnik Georgia” has specified today.

A total of 25 persons have been found to be victims, including 19 journalists and cameramen, the "InterPressNews" has reported.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 8, 2021 at 11:03 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: The Caucasian Knot