One of the leaders of anti-LGBT movement detained
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, June 21
One of the leaders of the anti-LGBT movement in Tbilisi, Guram Palavandishvili has been detained for insulting police.
The Georgian Interior Ministry says that Palavandishvili was summoned for questioning on Thursday on the issue of formation of illegal groups not to allow Tbilisi Pride events to take place.
As reported Palavandishvili insulted police during the interrogation.
The same day police detained one for physically abusing two male individuals on Tbilisi metro on Wednesday for wearing earrings.
Tbilisi Pride, a week-long event dedicated to the rights of the LGBT population, was scheduled to take place between June 18 and 23.
However, nationalist groups have rallied to oppose the “propaganda of sin.”
A movement headed by businessman Levan Vasadze and Palavandishvili announced plans on the formation of groups last week to disrupt any events dedicated to sexual minorities, which is illegal based on the Georgian law.
Later they said that no such groups would be created, but if they saw LGBT march taking place, “people would disrupt it with bare hands.”
Organisers of Tbilisi Pride say that the march will take place anyway.
However, it will not be held on the central streets of the capital city.
The location is kept confidential for now.
The Georgian church strongly opposed the events, urging the government to cancel them.
The Georgian Interior Ministry “warned” the Tbilisi Pride organisers regarding “possible threats” and offered then to hold the events in a closed environment, like a club.
Tbilisi Pride organisers and NGOs are accusing the government of not protecting their rights and freedom to expression.
