Georgian cameraman dies after attack at anti-pride event
Police in Georgia have launched a criminal investigation into the death of a cameraman who was attacked while covering an anti-Pride event in capitol Tbilisi. Lekso Lashkarava was attacked while working and taken to hospital on 5 July. He was discharged from hospital but was found dead on July 11.
Georgian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate anti-LGBT demonstrators’ recent attacks on dozens of journalists, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a statement..
“A group of more than 1 000 people demonstrating against a planned LGBT Pride rally in Tbilisi, the capital, attacked dozens of journalists covering the event, as well as event organizers, according to multiple news reports and Natia Zambakhidze, head of the Georgia bureau of the US broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Tinatin Berdzenishvili, chief executive of Georgian public broadcaster Pirveli Arkhi, CPJ said.
Witnesses told CPJ that policemen standing close by did not intervene to protect the journalists. The Georgian interior ministry said four people have been arrested.
Pride was called off after violent groups targeted the offices of LGBT campaigners.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.