A Georgian TV cameraman has died after being badly beaten by far-right assailants during a protest against an LGBTQ Pride march, his station said on Sunday, as pressure mounts on authorities over attacks on journalists.
Alexander Lashkarava, a 37-year-old cameraman working for the independent station TV Pirveli, was found dead in his bed in the early hours on Sunday, the channel reported.
Last Monday he was assaulted by a violent mob of anti-LGBTQ protesters and sustained fractures to his facial bones.
More than 50 journalists were attacked that day by anti-LGBTQ groups protesting against the planned Pride march in Tbilisi, which was cancelled due to safety fears.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the attacks, saying journalists “sustained injuries that included concussion, chemical burns and broken arms”.
It accused authorities of “culpable passivity” and said police had failed to protect journalists.
Georgia’s interior ministry said in a brief statement on Sunday that an investigation had been opened into Lashkarava’s death.
Rights activists announced a protest rally later on Sunday to demand the resignation of the prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili.
Prominent Georgian TV personalities and managers have accused Garibashvili’s government of orchestrating a violent campaign against journalists.
“The government not only encourages violence against journalists, it is part of the violence,” Nodar Meladze, TV Pirveli’s news editor, told AFP.
“The government has set up violent groups to attack independent media,” he said, adding: “Riot police have also repeatedly targeted journalists.”
In June 2019, riot police injured 40 journalists covering an anti-government protest.
Garibashvili has faced strong criticism from the opposition and rights activists after he spoke out against holding the Pride march, describing it as “unacceptable for a large segment of Georgian society”.
Critics have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of tacitly supporting homophobic and nationalist groups, which have also staged protests against pro-western opposition parties.
KSman1966 on July 11st, 2021 at 23:39 UTC »
Have ANY of you actually read enough of the article to know that this is not even an event that happened in the United States? From most of the comments I have read, I would say not.
Jimmyb3121 on July 11st, 2021 at 23:17 UTC »
Y’all realize there’s a country in a different continent named Georgia with absolutely no connection to the American Republican party, yes? That’s the Georgia this article is speaking about.
AlterEdward on July 11st, 2021 at 22:42 UTC »
Imagine killing someone because they prefer women with blonde hair. What's the fucking difference between that and attacking someone for being gay or bi? Doesn't affect you in the slightest. Absolute fucking nonsense.