Homophobic and trans-hostile rights attacked around 50 members of the press last Monday – including Alexander Laschkarawa. Now the cameraman died. Anger against the Georgian government is growing.
A cameraman died in Georgia a few days after being physically assaulted against him and other journalists. As his broadcaster TV Pirweli announced, Alexander Laschkarawa was found dead in his apartment on Sunday. The exact cause of death of the 37-year-old was initially unclear. Now the anger of many is directed against the Georgian government.
Last Monday, homophobic and trans-hostile right-wingers attacked Lashkarawa and other press representatives on the sidelines of protests against a planned “Pride” march in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, alleging that around 50 journalists and several people from LGBTQ activism groups were affected it was said afterwards.
The organization “Reporters Without Borders” reported broken bones, concussions and chemical burns. She accused the Georgian government of not intervening and thus being partly responsible for the violence. Hundreds of people are said to have taken part in the demonstrations against the event for trans, bisexual and homosexual rights. After the escalation, the organizers canceled the “Pride” parade.
After Laschkarawa’s death, thousands took to the streets
Laschkarawa also had fractures in his face and had to be treated in a hospital for several days before he was allowed to return home – where he finally died unexpectedly. The Interior Ministry has announced an investigation into his death, but accusations have again been raised against the government: Around 8,000 people gathered in Tbilisi on Sunday to demonstrate against them.
Opposition leader Nika Melia told the AFP news agency on the sidelines of the rally that it was calling for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and his government. They led the violence, according to Melia. Laschkarawa’s broadcaster also spoke of organized groups that would attack independent media at the government’s command. In addition, the police used violence against representatives of the press.
Gharibashvili had already spoken out against the parade before the “Pride” was canceled. He had explained his stance by saying that such demonstrations were “unacceptable to a large part of Georgian society”. The organizers would aim to cause “chaos”. Georgia is considered a conservative country and is heavily influenced by the Orthodox Church.
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