The Justice for Journalists Foundation calls on Georgian authorities to immediately conduct a full and impartial investigation into the unprecedented violence on media workers in Tbilisi on July 5 2021. Over 50 media workers were severely beaten and injured as a result of attacks by a homophobic mob protesting against Tbilisi Pride and the “March of Dignity” planned by LGBTQ+ activists.
The JFJ has registered 107 attacks on 54 journalists, camerapersons and photo correspondents who were deliberately assaulted while engaged in their professional activities. 14 female journalists are among the victims. Most of the journalists suffered severe injuries, fractures and concussions, and some journalists required surgeries. Attackers strived to cause the maximum damage to the journalists’ professional equipment – in most cases, it could not be restored. At the same time, several cyber-attacks were carried out on the news websites, including publika.ge and on.ge.
In most cases, the attacks were carried out in the presence of priests and police officers who did not intervene, enabling the participants of the homophobic rally to attack media workers with impunity. The Prime Minister and the leadership of the Georgian Dream political party put the blame on the organisers of Tbilisi Pride even before the results of an objective investigation could be received.
The Justice for Journalists Foundation calls on the Georgian government to conduct a thorough investigation of what happened on July 5 and bring to justice those involved in the crimes against journalists.
The list of journalists subjected to attacks presented below. The data about attacks is also available on the JFJ Media Risk Map:
- Aleksandre Lashkarava, cameraperson, TV channel Pirveli
- Anri Jokhaidze, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Beqa Atabegashvili, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Dato Koridze, cameraperson, Radio Liberty
- David Akhaladze, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Dea Mamiseishvili, correspondent, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Dimitri Krimnishvili, correspondent, TV channel Imedi
- Giga Gelviidze, correspondent, cnews.ge
- Giorgi Gabunia, journalist, TV channel Formula
- Giorgi Kvitsinadze, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Giorgi Maisashvili, cameraperson, TV channel Formula
- Giorgi Nikolishvili, photo correspondent, Interpressnews
- Giorgi Pertia, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Guga Dvalishvili, correspondent, TV channel Formula
- Guga Maisuradze, correspondent, TV channel Pirveli
- Guram Todadze, correspondent, TV channel Pirveli
- Ilia Tyaliashvilli, camera operator, public broadcaster’s First Channel
- Irakli Bakhtadze, correspondent, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Keta Tsitskishvili, correspondent, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Lekso Khomasuridze, journalist, TV channel Formula
- Levan Bregvadze, cameraperson, TV channel Pirveli
- Levan Kalandia, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Luka Khachidze, correspondent, TV channel Formula
- Luka Pertaia, correspondent, Netgazeti.ge
- Mako Jabua, correspondent, Tabula
- Mariam Kumsishvili, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Marika Gotsiridze, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Merab Tsaava, correspondent, Gurianews
- Miranda Bagaturia, correspondent, TV channel Pirveli
- Natia Koberidze, freelance journalist
- Natia Kokosadze, correspondent, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Nikoloz Kaliashvili, camera operator, TV channel Formula
- Nikoloz Urushadze, journalist, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Nino Gazdeliani, correspondent, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Nino Vardzelashvili, correspondent, TV channel Formula
- Rati Tsverava, correspondent, TV channel Formula
- Roman Tarugishvili, cameraperson, TV channel Palitra
- Ruso Jabanishvili, correspondent, TV channel Pirveli
- Salome Bokuchava, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Shota Sikinchalashvili, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Shota Kervalishvili, cameraperson, TV channel Imedi
- Sulkhan Elbakidze, cameraperson, TV channel Formula
- Tamta Kakhaberidze, correspondent, On.ge
- Tamuna Chkareuli, correspondent, Radio Liberty
- Tornike Barnabishvili, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Tornike Mandaria, correspondent, Radio Liberty
- Tiko Susareishvili, journalist, Adjara Public Broadcaster
- Vakho Kareli, photo correspondent, TV channel Formula
- Vazha Chkhaidze, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Zaza Kapanadze, cameraperson, TV channel Formula
- Zurab Managadze, correspondent, TV channel Rustavi-2
- Zurab Tsertsvadze, photo correspondent, Al-Jazeera
- Tako Lekveishvili, journalist, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi
- Levan Ablotia, cameraperson, TV channel Mtavari Arkhi