2021 Tbilisi Pride protests

2021 Tbilisi Pride protests were sparked by the March for Dignity, an event planned within the framework of the Pride Week by Tbilisi Pride, NGO uniting LGBT rights activists.^[8] Weeks prior an event received widespread public attention and became the subject of public debate, with various political and public figures expressing their opinions. Counter-demonstration was planned by the opposing groups, with an intent of blocking the Rustaveli Avenue, where the pride parade was supposed to be held.^[2] Counter-protests, which started before the pride parade, became chaotic and turned into disorder, with dozens of journalists who were covering the events being attacked by the participants. However, majority of counter-protesters did not take part in the physical violence. Consequently activists cancelled the March for Dignity. Dozens of journalists were injured, including TV Pirveli cameraman Alexander Lashkarava, whose death several days later caused controversy.^[5] A number of media outlets and political parties joined the Tbilisi Pride on the second day to condemn the violence and demand the resignation of government, who they deemed responsible for the unrest and the attacks on journalists, which were also met by counter-protests.^[1]

Events preceding the protests[]

On 16 May 2021, a day ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 15 political parties, including the United National Movement, the largest opposition party, signed the agreement "to fight to eliminate discrimination and violence against LGBTQ citizens with all mechanisms at their disposal" with Tbilisi Pride. The Tbilisi Pride described it as a "historical agreement in Georgia on LGBTQI rights."^[9]

On 4 June Tbilisi Pride announced "Pride Week" to take place during 1–5 July, consisting of three main events: Public screening of the March for Dignity, a British documentary film, featuring events around the first Tbilisi Pride, an open-air Pride Fest and March for Dignity on 5 July as the conclusive event for the Pride week. The Tbilisi Pride activists said that during the events they will demand "the implementation of a human-oriented policy by the government, fulfilment of all international obligations to ensure the environment free from homophobia and discrimination, to investigate hate crimes and ensure the safety and freedom of expression of each citizen of the country".^[10] Shame Movement, which was founded in consequence of the 2019 Gavrilov protests by opposition activists to demand resignation of the Georgian Dream government, and other political organizations announced that they will join the Pride Week.^[8]

On 15 June conservative political figure Levan Vasadze, who recently has founded the public movement ERI, urged government to cancel the Pride events to "prevent destabilisation". He stated that Tbilisi Pride events and march on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi on 5 July will not take place anyway because people will gather there and will not allow the "anti-Christian and anti-Georgian activities". The Tbilisi Pride said that "it is the government to blame that Vasadze continues to make such homophobic statements".^[11]

On 17 June the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze said that "considering the current situation in the country and the context", holding the Pride events is "unreasonable". He also added that it is his own personal view.^[12][13]

On 24 June up to 30 conservative and Christian groups at the Hotel Gino Wellness in Mtskheta held briefing, where they announced that "the agreement was signed between national forces to mobilize against the Pride march and block the Rustaveli Avenue". The agreement was joined by public movement ERI, Alt-Info, Georgian Mission, Georgian Idea, NGO Mamulishvilebi, Society of Chokhosans, Movement for the National Media, pedagogical association Education and Ethics, business association Solidarity, and society Davitiani.^[2] Activist and political commentator of Alt-Info Zurab Makharadze announced the mutual statement of all parties which joined the agreement. He asserted that the Pride Week unleashes cultural war against the moral basis of Georgian society, targeting future generations with a intent of destructing prevalent cultural and moral norms. Makharadze postulated that the political elites have betrayed "the values and the will of the people" by "becoming LGBT activists themselves", alluding to the memorandum signed by the 15 opposition parties in May with Tbilisi Pride and anti-discrimination law initiated and enacted by the ruling party Georgian Dream. He noted that the Pride Week and adoption of the values promoted by it will severe all future prospects for the negotiations "with our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers" about coexistance in the single state since "no one will respect such nation in the Caucasus". Since its the sovereign decision of Georgian people to choose what kind of cultural politics they will pursue, he urged the government to follow the will of the absolute majority of population instead of foreign directives like the "foreign-imposed colonial administration".

Embassies of the European Union, United Kingdom and United States, among others, urged the government of Georgia to enable the activists to carry out the Pride Week as planned.^[14] On June 28, in an open letter, 28 members of the European Parliament called upon Vakhtang Gomelauri, the Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA) to protect the constitutionally protected freedoms and rights of the activists with the police force if necessary.^[15] The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament and the Georgian Dream member Kakha Kuchava said in the interview that "the state is obliged to protect the order, safety and freedom of expression", noting that law enforcement agencies must ensure that no violence takes place during the Pride Week and counter-protests.^[16] A day later Tbilisi Mayor and one of the leaders of the Georgian Dream Kakhi Kaladze has told the reporters that he considers holding the Pride Week inappropriate in general because "specific groups can misuse the situation on both sides", although "freedom of expression is protected in this country".^[17]

On 29 June Georgian Orthodox Church has issued statement calling members of European Parliament working group on LGBTQ issues and embassy heads in Georgia "to refrain from supporting and encouraging Tbilisi Pride".^[18] The GOC has also urged the Georgian government to prevent "the destabilization of the country and of public life". It said that Tbilisi Pride "propagates non-traditional way of life under disguise of human rights" and that Church deems "hatred and violence directed at anyone unacceptable, but also denounces pride of sin and attempt to influence other people". According to statement, activities of the Tbilisi Pride discredit Western values in Georgia, and it is necessary to confirm that European democracy doesn't goes against the way of life and religious feelings of majority of the population.^[19] Along with Georgian Orthodox Church, other religious organizations like Administration of All Muslims of Georgia, Great Synagogue of Tbilisi and Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia have expressed their opposition to the Pride Week.^[20][21]

On 1 July the first from 3 events planned in the framework of Pride Week took place. The screening of the movie featuring events around the first Tbilisi Pride attracted large number of protesters, although it was held "without any excesses". According to the MIA, 650 police officers were mobilized at the spot and 23 protesters were detained.^[22] Along with Tbilisi Pride and Shame Movement activists who were co-organizers of the Pride Week, diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, Israel, USA and other countries were also attending the screening of the movie. Tbilisi Pride reported that the U.S. Embassy representative was egged by one of the counter-protesters, which was later confirmed by media outlets.^[23]

On 3 July Patriarchate of Georgia has stated that "for our Church and our citizens, the blatant intervention of some embassies and members of the European Parliament into our social and spiritual life is disturbing and unacceptable. We think that this is beyond their competency", calling Christians to "hold a prayer service to the Most Holy Virgin" on July 5, a March for Dignity day, and avoid "deliberate provocations" in order that "peaceful protest of people is not transformed into violent confrontation".^[24]

On 4 July, a day before the March for Dignity, the chairman of Georgian March Irakli Shikhiashvili visited office of Tbilisi Pride to hand over a letter, but the door of the office was closed. Shikhiashvili announced willingness to discuss in civil form why Pride shouldn't be held. He also encouraged the ambassadors that "they should not provoke or support a march, which majority of Georgian traditional society opposes, because it will cause negative attitude".^[25] Later Sandro Bregadze, the leader of the Georgian March stated that his party had not participated in the protests.^[26]

On 4 July the Alliance of Patriots held demonstration on the American independence day calling the USA diplomatic corps to "respect the independence of Georgia like they respect their own" and abstain from intervening on the behalf of Tbilisi Pride in Georgian internal affairs. The chairman of the party Davit Tarkhan Mouravi claimed that "pseudoliberal organizations of the USA and EU" like USAID, the Biden administration, and the U.S. Department of State along with the Georgian Dream government, United National Movement and European Georgia are "subverting the Church". Tarkhan Mouravi quoted Donald Trump that Christianity is under siege across the world, calling Christians to band together. At the end he warned about the global conspiracy to create "a new breed of man" with no gender, nationality, faith or whatsoever.^[27]

Developments during the day[]

The March for Dignity was announced by Tbilisi Pride as the conclusive event for the Pride Week. The rally was supposed to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Rustaveli Avenue. The organizers were keeping the details of the March under wraps for the safety of the participants.

In parallel of the March for Dignity, two events were planned by its opponents. Georgian Orthodox Church has called for public prayer meeting at Kashveti Church at 5:00 p.m.,^[24] while the conservative groups who signed the agreement to counter the parade intended to mobilize at 10:00 a.m. and block the Rustaveli Avenue, preventing the March for Dignity from taking place. Some Orthodox priests have also joined the counter-protests.

The counter-protesters gathered from early morning in the 9 April Garden. They moved near the parliament building, where the leaders of the counter-demonstration gave speech in front of the public. Counter-protesters destroyed the tents^[28] erected by the opposition political parties against the sitting government in the preceding months because those parties signed agreement on LGBT rights with Tbilisi Pride. They tore down the EU Flag, with Zurab Makharadze, one of the leading figures of the counter-protests, announcing that "the flag which was tore down will remain down until ambassadors come here and apologize for supporting pederasty", and erected the cross in front of the parliament, signifying that "laws in this country will be written in accordance with Christian morals".

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili repeatedly urged the LGBT rights activists to abstain from holding the March for Dignity, claiming it would be provocative and would lead to disorder. In a televised address, he again urged the activists to either choose one of the alternative locations suggested by the MIA , or not to go forward with the plan at all, calling it unreasonable. Gharibashvili warned that it would provoke negative reactions from a large segment of the Georgian population. He blamed the "radical opposition" and the ex-president in exile, Mikheil Saakashvili, for organizing the March in order to destabilize the country and cause chaos. On the other hand, the MIA issued an official statement, saying that they regarded holding the March in a public space as too risky and asked them to refrain from it, or cancel the event altogether.^[29][30][31] The accusation that the activists were egged on by the opposition was later reasserted and repeated by the chairman of Georgian Dream and the former Speaker of Georgian Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze.^[32]

At about noon, Konstantine Morgoshia, businessman and conservative political figure, addressed the public in front of the parliament, telling them that Tbilisi Pride activists were pressured to hold pride parade by Shame Movement in their office on nearby street. He urged "about 500 to 600" people to gather and follow him to check the office of Shame Movement. Police let them into the office to defuse the situation. Counter-protesters searched through the office, which had already been abandoned by Tbilisi Pride and Shame Movement activists. Media representatives, who remained in the office covering the current events were physically abused by some of the counter-protesters and their equipment was damaged. One of the journalists, TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava was found dead at his home a few days later. Lashkarava sustained serious injuries to the head, including fractured facial bones and heavy bruising. However, as of 11 July 2021, forensic examination is still ongoing about the exact reasons for his death.^[5][33][34] After returning to the entry of parliament, Morgoshia announced that police helped the activists to leave the office few minutes before they entered it.

The counter-protesters proceeded to successfully raid the headquarters of Tbilisi Pride by climbing onto the office's balcony. They tore down and burned the Pride flag hanging outside. Tamaz Sozashvili, one of the co-founders of Tbilisi Pride, expressed his extreme shock upon seeing the vandalized office.

Some counter-protesters attacked journalists at several locations, including outside parliament and the United Nations representative office to Georgia. They injured 53 journalists reporting the events live, some of them critically.^{[36][37][38][39]} One of the rioters tried to run the journalists over with a moped.^[40] The rioters also intentionally damaged the equipment or otherwise prevented the journalists from broadcasting the events. Later during the day, it was reported that Jacek Kolankiewicz, a 49-year-old male Polish tourist was stabbed multiple times in the chest, which caused public outrage. Media reported that the attack supposedly happened on the grounds of homophobia, as eyewitnesses believe it was motivated by his long hair, tattoos and an earring. He was moved to the hospital in critical condition, from which he later recovered.^[41][42] However, the MIA and the Public Prosecutor did not confirm these claims and were vague and evasive in their description of the case. The relatives of the attacker stated that he was mentally ill and stabbed a foreign citizen without a motive.^[43] Police forces were present in all the areas, but they interfered only minimally and neither prevented the injuries nor forcefully pushed back the protesters, except when protecting the UN representation building in Georgia.

At about 3:00 p.m. Tbilisi Pride has announced via Facebook that the March for Dignity has been cancelled, condemning the Georgian government for having declined to issue unequivocal guarantee to uphold Freedom of expression and Freedom of assembly, which are protected by of the Georgian constitution (the articles 17 and 21 respectively), thus, according to Tbilisi Pride, causing concerns about Georgian integration into European Union.^[44][45][46] The counter-protesters started celebrating after the news of cancellation were announced by performing traditional Georgian dances on the Rustaveli Avenue.^[47]

According to one of the co-founders of Tbilisi Pride, Giorgi Tabagari, the organizers had to change locations, narrowly escaping death because of compromised locations.

Reactions[]

Georgians protesting against violence in front of parliament

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili condemned the violence in unequivocal terms and visited the injured journalists at the hospital, expressing her solidarity.^[49] Georgian civil society organizations, such as The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), and Transparency International Georgia, condemned the riots and placed the responsibility squarely on the government's shoulders for the utter failure in preventing civil unrest.^[50] International partners of Georgia and the human rights organizations worldwide expressed shock and dismay at the events, regretting that the government failed in its most basic task to uphold the constitutionally protected fundamental freedoms. Denis Krivosheev, a representative Amnesty International commented that "Instead of planning for this turn of events and providing a robust response to violence, the government deployed inadequately small numbers of policemen who were only reacting to violent attacks, rather than providing an organized protection for LGBTI activists".^[51] Embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, the European Union Monitoring Mission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, UN representation in Georgia, the United States and the EU Delegation in Georgia condemned "attacks on the civic activists, community members and journalists, as well as the failure of the government leaders and officials to condemn this violence."^[52] Christophe Lacroix, the rapporteur Council of Europe's LGBT rights, condemned the violence targeting journalists and activists alike, as well as the office of Tbilisi Pride and expressed solidarity with the courageous organizers and journalists. He further noted that the "indiscriminate and unchecked violence" put the Georgian democracy in danger.^[53]

Critics have attributed the inadequate law enforcement measures and general idleness to the government's uneasy relations with the opposition media, claiming that the violence against journalists happened with their tacit consent.^[54] Moreover, some have further developed a theory that the events on July 5th were part of "Georgian Dream's anti-media crusade", suggesting that the violence at the counter-protests was pre-planned by the ruling party to "scare" the "free media".^[55]

The Patriarchate of Georgian Orthodox Church, despite numerous rousing speeches and sermons by the orthodox clergy, wholly denied responsibility and instead blamed the organizers of the March for Dignity for provoking protests.^{[citation needed]}

Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender of Georgia decried PM Gharibashvili's rhetoric about the protests being anti-state and anti-church, calling it undemocratic and against human rights. Furthermore, during the meeting with the President Zurabishvili she stressed that the offenders should be persecuted for organized group violence.^[56] In a separate official statement, she noted that as of 12 July 2021 no criminal proceedings have been initiated against anyone. She criticized the government, stating that group violence was foreseeable, while also underscoring that they seemed to act in a coordinated and organized manner. The Ombudswoman appealed to the MIA and the Prosecutor's Office to identify those chiefly responsible, launch criminal proceedings against them and proactively keep the public informed.^[57] In the aftermath of Lekso Lashkarava's death and subsequent funeral, 4 private Georgian TV channels (Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli, Formula TV and Kavkasia) stopped broadcasting in protest for 24 hours, starting from 7 AM of 14 July. They reitererated their demands that the PM Gharibashvili must immediately resign his post and all responsible to be appropriately punished.^[58][59]

Russian perennial traditionalist philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, who was known for being a frequent guest of Alt-Info, commented on the ongoing events: "Georgians by their heroic action are changing the world balance - touching the scale of our side". He noted that his Italian friends told him that Italian traditional aristocracy inspired by "Georgian orthodox defenders of human dignity" started to convert to Orthodoxy, which they saw as a more authentic continuation of Tradition.^[60]

Protest response[]

On 6 July Zurab Girchi Zaparidze, libertarian politician and head of Girchi - More Freedom party, who recently split from the New Political Center - Girchi announced a rally against those hate groups.^[1] Other opposition parties responded to Japaridze’s initiative and following a day of outrage over 5 July anti-LGBT violence, thousands of Georgians gathered to protest homophobia in front of the Georgian Parliament, where they unfurled the Rainbow Flag as participants cheered and sang the Georgian national anthem.^[61][62] By the late evening, however, as the protesters dispersed, the extremist groups broke through the police lines, reclaiming the scene. The radical right groups headed by Zurab Makharadze proceeded to once again tear down and burn the European Union flag.^[63][64] A day later, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament visited the location and personally raised the EU flag on the building once again, stating that its removal was unacceptable.^[65] After the passing away of Lekso Lashkarava, a new protest was announced on 11 July, demanding that the Prime Minister Gharibashvili and his government take responsibility for the events and resign.^[66]

During the demonstration, prominent news anchors and representatives of the media delivered scathing speeches excoriating Prime Minister Gharibashvili and his government, as well the Georgian Patriarchate for aiding and abetting violence. The protesters delivered an ultimatum to the government to resign, or face permanent protests, claiming they would not rest until those responsible were removed from power. According to them, unlike politicians who would sit down and compromise, they would not, because they were "striving after justice and a better future for Georgia, not seeking political power themselves". The leaders of various media sources expressed utmost anger that the government allowed attacks on journalists and that they would suffer the consequences by being shown the true power of the media. A longtime journalist Vakho Sanaia promised the government that "we will defeat you. No one could win the war against journalists in this country, and we will win this war too". Veteran Georgian journalist Inga Grigolia delivered a fiery speech, giving voice to her disgust with the Ministry of Internal Affairs that she called shameless, after they made shocking insinuations that the dead journalist had recently visited the district of Tbilisi known for its drug trade. The protest leaders also supported their condolences to the family of the deceased and underlined his bravery protecting his colleague, saying he set an example for all others to follow and that his death would not be in vain ^[67]

Civil society organizations also joined the demand of the Georgian media representatives that the government should immediately resign. The undersigned organizations requested at least two things - immediate resignation of the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri and bringing all organizers, participants, and instigators of violence, regardless of their status, to justice.

The signatories included the following prominent NGOs: Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), Governance Monitoring Center (GMC), Sapari Society and Banks, Media Development Fund, (MDF) Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS), The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Human Rights Center (HRC), Social Justice Center, Atlantic Council of Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Center for Research Journalism and Economic Analytics, UN Association of Georgia (UNAG), Green Alternative, Tbilisi Pride, Democracy Research Institute (DRI), The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, Center EMPATHY, Free Russia Foundation in South, Europe Foundation, Open Society Georgia Foundation, and Rondeli Foundation.^[68][69][70]

On 12 July, PM Gharibashvili categorically ruled out that he would resign and at the same time accused the demonstrators that they demanded the jailing of the (old and frail) Patriarch. Although the protesters did not make such statements, similar demands were articulated by Basil Kobakhidze, a former press secretary of the Georgian Orthodox Church who was suspended for insulting and mocking at the Church and the priests, on Mtavari Arkhi, a TV company which also joined the protests. Basil later made comment on Gharibashvili's statement, suggesting that the PM probably confused his personal position with that of the protesters, once again asserting that Patriarch, bishop Shio Mujiri and other priests should be arrested along with Gharibashvili because they supposedly encouraged violence.^[71] Gharibashvili also described the protests as "anti-state, anti-church and anti-national", and perpetuated claims that the "radical opposition" was guilty of a widespread conspiracy to exploit the pride parade for "revanchist" political aims by turning it into anti-government protests, citing involvement of the Shame Movement in the March of Dignity as an evidence, which, according to the Prime Minister, is one of the "Saakashvili's organizations".^[72] Later activists of the Shame Movement replied to these claims by calling them "shameful", describing Gharbiashvili as "a murderer, homophobe, and undignified Prime Minister" and "the first and most influential instigator of the July 5th violence". The PM also stated that 95% of the Georgian population opposes the "propaganda parade" and that he was obliged to obey them. On top of that, the PM said that "the only parade I know, that will be held in our country, is that of our army" and proclaimed that "minorities will no longer decide the fate of the majority in this country".^{[73][74][75][76][77]}

On the evening of 12 July, after having protested at the Parliament Building first, the demonstrators gathered around the Georgian Dream headquarters, which was under heavy police protection. 12 protesters were detained on the spot, including Irakli Absandze, a prominent journalist of Georgian Public Broadcasting, a state controlled media, who has not shied away from criticizing the government despite that. The arrest happened after the protesters hurled eggs towards the building and tried to use spray red paint to mark that the blood was on the hands of the ruling party.^[78][79] On that same evening, the Ministry of Internal Affairs again repeated its claim that the cameraman was a victim of drug overdose with the forensic information still underway.^[80][81]

Arrests[]

In total, the government arrested 102 people for participating in these riots in a variety of forms; 68 of these were released on parole, with the rest being left in custody, and the government continued to make additional arrests.^[82] On 9 July 2021, Tbilisi City Court denied bail and ordered pre-trial detention of 4 additional members of the violent group. During the preliminary hearing, the judge determined that the actions of these violent activists "in addition to being criminal, undermine the stability of the state. They are dark and shameful...".^[7] Some have questioned whether the judge's statements were consistent with the judicial ethics and presumption of innocence.

Death of Lekso Laskarava and controversy[]

On 11 July the journalist of TV Pirveli Lekso Lashkarava was found dead in his house. It was earlier reported that Lashkarava was one of the journalist who was assaulted by the protesters on 5 July. Lashkarava sustained serious injuries to the head, including fractured facial bones and heavy bruising. The death of journalist quickly became the main topic of discussion. Various theories surfaced about the exact reasons behind the death of the journalist. His colleagues at TV Pirveli, Mtavari Arkhi TV and Formula TV linked the death of journalist to the injuries sustained on 5 July. They joined the protests demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and the arrest of the organizers of the 5 July protests, who they believed were responsible for the violence and the death of Lashkarava.^[83]

On 12 July at the briefing held by the Ministry of Internal Affairs director of the Central Criminal Police Department Mamuka Chelidze stated that the chemical examination has found various drugs in the body of Lashkarava, including morphine, codeine, tetrahydrocannabinol, pentin and monoacetylmorphine.^[84] He suggested that Lekso Lashkarava might have died of drug overdose, also adding that the conclusion is not final and the forensic medical examination is still ongoing.^[85] The MIA released the video from surveillance cameras showing Lekso Lashkarava driving with his friend on moped and buying some drugs and disposable syringes on 10 July. Nika Gvaramia, director of the Mtavari Arkhi suggested that the report could not be trusted because the government is supposedly trying to shift the blame from the groups involved in the violence against the journalists on 5 July. Some made concerns that drugs found in the body of Lashkarava were taken on 8 July as analgetics after the surgeries he has taken due to injuries on 5 July.

On 11 July during the "special broadcast" the political commentators of Alt-Info claimed that the death of Lekso Lashkarava might have been pre-planned by liberal groups to use him as a "sacred victim" and further their political goals, pointing out that the liberal groups might have assassinated him to inflame public feelings with an intent of instigating anti-government riots and colour revolution. They emphasized that the TV Pirveli and Mtavari Arkhi media personalities in their statements were "dubiously insisting that the examination results are unimportant or biased before even their release like they knew something beforehand", that Lashkarava attended the TV show as a guest few days before his death where he, according to the Alt-Info hosts, "did not seem critically injured" and that the clinic where he underwent medical surgery stated that the patient's condition was satisfactory upon discharge. Irakli Martinenko stated that "They [liberals] probably sacrificed, murdered, one of their own and are now using it politically... Generally, the way the liberals fight differs from that of the conservatives. The main tool for the liberals is taking the position of victim". Zura Makharadze claimed that the liberal opposition was creating the "emotional wave" to trigger anti-government protests and try to overthrow the government. They identified the "sacred victim card" as a common tactic of liberal groups worldwide and invoked the George Floyd riots as an example, claiming that even though Floyd died of fentanyl overdose, his death was attributed to the police officer who was performing the arrest procedure approved by the law and exploited for political gains by Democrats against the Trump administration. Giorgi Kardava has suggested that in case of the Gavrilov's Night there was "the same scenario, but different sentiments".^[86] The opponents accused Alt-Info of spreading the disinformation. James Nixey, director of the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, has identified "the hallmarks of a disinformation strategy" in Alt-Info's theory and has suggested that they are engaging in the attempts to obfuscate the circumstances of Lashkarava's death.^[87] The Myth Detector has blamed Alt-Info for spreading baseless conspiracy theories trying to "portray the West and liberals as the potential culprits behind the death" of Lekso Lashkarava.^[88] Some have noted that Alt-Info's rhetoric coincided with that of the PM, suggesting their common interest to obscure the facts and spread false narrative with an intent of discrediting the protests that were launched in the name of deceased journalist.

Several days later, businessman and conservative political figure Levan Vasadze, who did not participate in the protests due to health complications but showed moral support for the protesters, accused the US Ambassador Kelly Degnan of being responsible for the death of Lashkarava. He noted that "provocateurs" like Degnan artificially inflamed the conflict around the Pride Week by "trying to force our society to hold the pride parade" and that the ambassador should "know her place", adding that free speech is not an absolute right and the speech should be restricted when it contradicts the public morals, according to the European Convention on Human Rights. Degnan replied that people who incited the violence in order to create instability "are busy at work, doing the Kremlin's work" by spreading disinformation.^{[89] [90][91]} The ambassador also expressed her disdain about government's inaction and "poor leadership of the Prime Minister", noting that "the United States has worked hard with the law enforcement agencies in Georgia to improve their capability to do crowd management" and the government should have deployed new "training and equipment".^[92]

After the death of Lekso Lashkarava, Jeanne Cavalier, the head of the Eastern European office of Reporters Without Borders urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to conduct "an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death and the assaults on journalists that the police failed to protect, rather than attempting to discredit the deceased cameraman". Moreover, Cavalier called the events a "calamitous turning point" for freedom of the press in Georgia.^[93]

Notes[]

A.^ See Death of Lekso Laskarava and controversy.

See also[]

• LGBT rights in Georgia
• 2013 Tbilisi anti-homophobia rally protests

References[]