Twelve LGBT opponents detained at rally in Tbilisi

Law enforcers have detained participants of the action against the "LGBT Week" in Tbilisi for disobeying policemen’ demands and hooliganism. During the disorders, one policeman suffered.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 1-5, LGBT activists announced in Tbilisi the "LGBT Week", which will end with the "March of Dignity". The “Erie” Party called on the authorities to ban the march and threatened to hold counteractions. The Georgian Ombudsperson, Nino Lomdjariya, called on the police to ensure the marchers’ safety. The UN, the European Union and Embassies of 16 countries called on the Georgian authorities to prevent violence during the "March of Dignity". The Georgian Patriarchate called on foreign diplomats to refrain from supporting the march.

The “LGBT Week” started in Tbilisi on July 1 with the screening of a British film about the “March of Dignity-2019”. The film has won a number of prizes at international film festivals, but the media were banned from covering the film screening in Tbilisi, Giorgi Tabagari, one of the leaders of the LGBT community, said on the air of the “Mtavari Arkhi” TV Company.

A couple of hours before the start of the event, participants of the action for the preservation of traditional values gathered. Several dozen activists brought empty plastic bottles, eggs and other items with them. They started throwing them at the people who were going to hold the event.

The counter-activists tried several times to break through the police cordon; they shouted threats and insults at members of sexual minorities.

The police head asked the protesters to protest peacefully, noting that both sides "have the right to the freedom of expression."