Georgia: The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) arrested 26 members of a violent and homophobic group in Mtatsminda. Among them are Zura Makharadze, Beka Vardosanidze, Irakli Martinenko and father and son Falavandishvili.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, all of them were arrested administratively; they are accused of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police.
Like the previous year, the leaders of the violent group and their supporters tried to disrupt the Tbilisi Pride Week and came to the place where the Pride Fest should be held on July 2.
Zura Makharadze said that they were not going to break up. Later, they confronted the policemen, during which several people were put into the police car.
Sources are trying to get additional information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Zura Makharadze and Koka Morgoshia were summoned for questioning on June 27 due to threats against Tbilisi Pride. Despite the fact that the march of honour will not take place this year, the perpetrators say that they will not allow the events planned during the week to be held in a closed space either.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement regarding the week, stating that the safety of the participants will be protected at all three events. They call on the perpetrators to obey the law, otherwise, according to them, “every act of violation will be prevented, and strict legal action will be taken.”
