Become an OC Media MemberSupport independent journalism in the Caucasus:
Join Today
Media logo
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

18 Posts
0 Followers
Nagorno-Karabakh’s State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. Official photo.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Podcast | A power struggle in Stepanakert and Alt Info’s busy week

O

More than a month into the closure of the Lachin corridor, Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst and the head of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security, phones in to discuss rumours surrounding the potential resignation of State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. Read more: * Nagorno-Karabakh reports gas cut for second time since start of blockade Mariam Nikuradze breaks down the extremist far-right group Alt Info’s activities this week after a Georgian court reduced t

A group of journalists being attacked near the Kashveti Church on Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Tbilisi court reduces sentences for 2021 anti-Pride rioters

S

The Tbilisi Court of Appeals has reduced the sentences of six men convicted of participating in the July 2021 anti-Pride riots from five to four years. The six men were involved in the attack on TV Pirveli journalist Miranda Baghaturia and camera operator Alexandre Lashkarava. Lashkarava sustained broken facial bones and a concussion during the attack and died several days later, but an official autopsy released six months later claimed he died of a drug overdose. Monday’s ruling partially o

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Aleksandre Lashkarava at his funeral procession in Tbilisi on 13 July 2021. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Georgian journalist died of heroin overdose following 5 July attack, autopsy claims

T

Georgian news camera operator Aleksandre Lashkarava died of a heroin overdose less than a week after being attacked by a far-right mob, an official autopsy has concluded. An extract of the autopsy results was provided to OC Media and other media outlets by the Interior Ministry on Friday. They claim that the TV Pirveli camera operator died of severe cardiovascular and respiratory failure caused by heroin intoxication. The 4 of 37 pages of the report released to the press also state that seve

Aleksandre Lashkarava sustained multiple fractures and a concussion after being attacked on 5 July 2021. Image via TV Pirveli.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Georgian authorities fail to produce autopsy 5 months after journalist’s death

T

The authorities in Georgia have failed to produce the results of an autopsy into the death of TV Pirveli camera operator Aleksandre (Lekso) Lashkarava, who passed away in July after being beaten by far-right groups during a homophobic riot in Tbilisi. Beka Takalandze, a lawyer representing Lashkarava’s family, confirmed to OC Media that they were still awaiting the results. This weekend marked five months since Lashkarava’s death. He passed away at home on 11 July just six days after sustain

Leaders of the new Conservative Movement during their press conference on 20 November. Video grab.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Demands for ban of new far-right party in Georgia

S

The far-right group in Georgia that was largely responsible for organising the anti-Pride riots in July has unveiled a new political party, leading to calls for it to be banned. On Saturday, Alt Info, which also runs an eponymous TV channel, announced they were establishing the Conservative Movement. A number of rights groups and opposition parties, as well as the Georgian Public Defender, previously called for the leaders of Alt Info to be criminally prosecuted for organising mass violence

Giorgi Tabagari at the protest outside parliament on 6 July 2021. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Tbilisi Pride founder faces prison for swearing at police

O

Georgian queer rights activist and Tbilisi Pride co-founder Giorgi Tabagari has said the Georgian authorities are seeking to imprison him for 15 days after he cursed at a police officer while being chased by homophobic mob in July. According to queer rights group Tbilisi Pride, which was targetted by homophobic mob attacks on 5 July in Tbilisi, the Interior Ministry has charged Tabagari with an administrative offence for his language.  [Read more on OC Media: Homophobic mob celebrates on Tbi

Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media.
2021 Homophobic Riot in Tbilisi

Datablog | What do Georgians think about Tbilisi Pride?

D

On 5 July, a homophobic riot broke out on the streets of Tbilisi, leading to injuries and possibly a death. While Georgia’s population is generally conservative, what do people think of the events of 5 July, and how have these views shifted since a similar riot on 17 May 2013? On the morning of 5 July 2021, hundreds of Georgians responded to the calls of the Patriarchate of Georgia and far-right, pro-Russian, and anti-Western groups to protest against the planned Tbilisi Pride march.  Ostens

Editor‘s Picks