A local news cameraman died in the nation of Georgia following a violent episode by a far-right mob protesting an LGBTQ pride demonstration.
Alexander Lashkarav, 37, worked for independent station TV Pivrveli. The outlet confirmed he was pronounced dead on Sunday after sustaining injuries at the Tbilisi event.
The Guardian reports Lashkarav was one of over 50 journalists identified by various hate groups leading up to the planned July 5 pride march. The event was eventually canceled due to security concerns, but that didn’t stop protesters from gathering in large numbers.
While no official cause of death was announced, Lashkarav suffered multiple fractures to his facial bones. Georgian interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has opened an official investigation into his death.
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“What happened is a tragedy, and I send my condolences to the entire media community and to all of Georgia,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili posted to Twitter. “It must be investigated, and those responsible must be punished.”
I visited the family of Lekso Lashkarava. What happened is a tragedy and I send my condolences to the entire media community and to all of Georgia.
It must be investigated and those responsible must be punished. pic.twitter.com/jbDYo5kVeZ
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 11, 2021
“The government not only encourages violence against journalists, it is part of the violence,” criticized Nodar Meladze, TV Pirveli’s news editor, per The Guardian.
Many have accused the government of adding fuel to the fire by caving to the hate groups and canceling the event.
“The government has set up violent groups to attack independent media,” Meladze, argued, adding: “Riot police have also repeatedly targeted journalists.”
“Riot police have also repeatedly targeted journalists,” he added.
A June 2019 incident at an anti-government rally left 40 journalists injured after right-wing counter-protesters attacked.
Fahd
I saw some of the video of the “counter-demonstration” – a wild-eyed, foaming-at-the-mouth, homophobic lynch mob – no surprise someone died. Queerty should mention international organizations such as journalists without borders that are working to keep journalists and journalism alive in these heavy-handed authoritarian regimes and elsewhere.
barryaksarben
And dont for one minute think this wont happen here. The far right radical trump sickos are not to be trusted not to kill people who disagree with them or even just exist
Cam
This is who Republicans are in America and what they want to happen in the U.S.
JRamonMc
Cam, I have to agree to your assessment. The rhetoric along with the GOP’s mixed messages show an ever increasing violence unequaled today. I keep hearing about the radical left, but it seems to be the right that fuels the hate and incendiary speech.
SDR94103
heartbreaking.
Kangol2
Another country heavily in Russia’s orbit, where LGBTQ people are not safe. As Fahd says, Queerty could write a lot more about organizations like Journalists Without Borders, as well as LGBTQ organizations like OutRight International, which are doing herculean work to protect and secure the rights of LGBTQ people, and and Rainbow Railroad, which helps LGBTQ refugees, all over the globe.
BoomerMyles
tRump and the GQP would have called this a “lovefest”.
Chrisk
I read on JMG that some right wing American Christians were behind the mob violence. Brian Brown who used to run NOM helped the organizers.
bsg1967
Tragic, prayers to his friends and family. We can never truly be comfortable the war is far from over
fredk3
trump would have said there were “very fine people on both sides” but also he would have told the homophobic wild-eyed mouthfoaming lynch mob to “stand back and stand by.”