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A solidarity demonstration for Alexander Laschkarawa in Tbilisi: Sharp criticism of the government's actions
Photo: IRAKLI GEDENIDZE / REUTERS
In Georgia, a cameraman has died after injuries sustained in an attack by anti-gay demonstrators.
The 37-year-old Alexander Laschkarawa, who had worked for the independent broadcaster TV Pirweli, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning, the broadcaster reported.
The Interior Ministry announced an investigation into Lashkarawa's death.
He was badly beaten last Monday by counter-demonstrators who protested a march by the LGBTQ movement.
The cameraman fractured his facial bones.
More than 50 journalists were physically attacked by the counter-demonstrators.
According to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), they suffered broken bones, concussions and chemical burns.
RSF accused the Georgian authorities of not taking action against the attacks and therefore complicit in the injuries.
Representatives of independent Georgian media accused the government of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili of inciting violence against journalists and even organizing such acts of violence themselves.
"The government not only encourages violence against journalists, it is part of that violence," said Nodar Meladze, editor-in-chief at TV Pirweli, the AFP news agency.
The government assembled violent groups who physically attacked independent media.
Police officers have also repeatedly attacked journalists.
Last Monday, the organizers of a so-called Pride Parade in the capital Tbilisi canceled the parade after the violent attacks on journalists and activists of the LGBTQ movement.
Several hundred opponents of the parade had gathered near the parliament of the Caucasian republic.
During the Pride parades, demonstrations for the rights of sexual minorities are taking place around the world.
The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
Georgia is considered a very conservative country, the Orthodox Church is extremely powerful in the Caucasus republic.
Prime Minister Garibashvili had also spoken out against the Pride Parade.
mic / afp