Tbilisi: number of detained opponents of LGBT Week reaches 43

Members and supporters of the "Alt-Info" movement are protesting in Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi against the ongoing LGBT Week. 17 protesters were detained under the article on disobedience to policemen's lawful demands, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reported.

Police have detained 26 people in Tbilisi during the action against the LGBT Week. The detainees were accused of hooliganism and disobeying the police.

On July 2, members and supporters of the "Alt-Info" movement, including clergymen, gathered in Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament. Opponents of the LGBT Week are holding an action in support of their arrested comrades. Rustaveli Avenue is blocked, the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV reports.

Let us remind you that although the Tbilisi Pride refused to hold the March of Dignity in Tbilisi this year, explaining that it is not safe for its participants, the LGBT Week is underway in the capital of Georgia from June 28 to July 2. Georgian authorities must guarantee the safety of LGBT Week participants as LGBT opponents threaten to disrupt the events, the Tbilisi Pride has stated. The LGBT Week will be a test of how authorities are able to protect the rights of sexual minorities and prevent possible violence; attention is focused on this in the context of the conditions for Georgia of the European Union (EU) for obtaining the EU candidate status, analysts believe.