Georgia: Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the police are mobilized in connection with the events and “protest actions” announced within the framework of Pride week.
“Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs protect public order, as well as the freedom of assembly and expression of all citizens .” – says the agency.
Today, on July 2, a closed, final event of the Tbilisi Pride Week is planned in one of the isolated spaces, and at the same time, homophobic, violent, pro-Russian groups gathered in front of the parliament. They oppose the closed event of Tbilisi Pride and also demand the release of violent leaders arrested on the night of July 2. The police are mobilized on the spot.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that ” in order to conduct the planned closed events within the framework of Pride Week in a safe environment, the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia continue to communicate with the organizers of the mentioned event and preventive measures are being taken to ensure the protection of freedom of expression. ”
According to the agency, the police “will be mobilized and will protect public safety based on security measures at gathering places and in order to avoid artificial escalation of events.”
The agency calls on the media, when covering the events, if necessary, to work in coordination with the communications department of the agency and to obey the instructions of the law enforcement officers based on security measures.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia once again condemns any kind of violence and calls on the groups opposed to the Pride Week to obey the law, to obey the legal requirements of the police, and not to exceed the right of assembly and demonstration permitted by law. Every act of violation will be immediately prevented by the police, and strict legal response will follow .” – says the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
