13 July 2021, 14:22
Twelve persons detained at rally in Tbilisi
At the rally held near the office of the "Georgian Dream" Party, law enforcers detained 12 people. Protesters promise to come there again until their demands – the resignation of Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, and the government; and the investigation into the death of Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman of the "TV-Pirveli" Company – are satisfied.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 11, journalists and opposition supporters went to large-scale protests in Tbilisi and other major Georgian cities, demanding resignation of the government and inquiry into Lashkarava's death. The prime minister said he was not going to resign. After that, six opposition politicians and journalists rushed into the session of the Georgian Parliament and disrupted it. On July 12, protesters commemorated Lekso Lashkarava.
Activists of the "Tbilisi Pride" have called on Garibashvili to take responsibility for the July 5 violence.
Lashkarava was severely beaten up on July 5 during clashes at actions against the gay parade in Tbilisi.
The rally in Tbilisi ended at the "Georgian Dream" office. Nika Gvaramiya, Director General of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company, said that the rally would resume on July 13 after Lashkarava's funeral.
Protesters told why they decided to take part in the action.
"The government must resign, because it's a criminal government that condones rampant crime and violence against journalists!" said Gennady Kakuliya, a refugee from Abkhazia.
"We haven't seen before someone openly setting a part of the society against journalists," Grigory, a pensioner, believes.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 13, 2021 at 01:24 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Galina Gotua, Beslan Kmuzov Source: CK correspondents
