Today, media representatives rallied in front of the Government Chancellery to attract the attention of the European Council President, who is holding meetings with authorities in Batumi.
This morning ahead of #Batumi Conference @eucopresident met with President @Zourabichvili_S & Prime Minister @GharibashviliGe and the opposition parties. https://t.co/fSKr6cjSO8
— Barend Leyts (@BarendLeyts) July 19, 2021
The protesters say journalists in Georgia are unsafe until Prime Minister Garibashvili holds the post.
“We, the journalists, whose 53 colleagues were physically assaulted by pro-Russian, aggressive groups on July 5, who have been subjects of insult and discredit for years by the country’s informal ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili, and high-ranking government officials, appeal to you [Charles Michel]. Today you talked to the government members who greenlit the violent groups to take down and burn the EU flag twice in front of the parliament on July 5-6. You should know that the lives of almost all journalists and citizens, as well as the dignity and country’s independent future, are in danger until Irakli Garibashvili serves as PM,” the letter reads.
Fifty-three journalists were injured during July 5-6 violence, one of whom passed away on July 11. TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, 36, died six days later after being severely beaten by a far-right mob during the anti-Tbilisi Pride rally on July 5.
Civil activists and media representatives demand the resignation of the Georgian Prime Minister and Interior Minister over the violence against media and Lashkarava’s death.
