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The News in Brief

Friday, July 9
Prepared by the Messenger Staff

Lelo’s Japaridze says Patriarchate has nothing to do with violent radical groups

Lelo for Georgia Leader Badri Japaridze believes that the Patriarchate is not responsible for the mass violence in the streets of Tbilisi on July 5-6.

Japaridze commented that statements of specific clergymen were voiced at the rally of violent and homophobic groups, they have nothing to do with the position of the Patriarchate.

He thinks that the statements and appeals of the clergy should not be generalized. Japaridze says it is in the interests of the country's enemies to attack the church.

Japaridze says that the violent groups in the contraction are members of specific political organizations.



Papuashvili on July 5: Police were inadequate numbers, confrontation was not expected

Georgian Dream member Shalva Papuashvili believes that an adequate number of police officers were mobilized in the streets of Tbilisi on July 5.

He said since the evening of the March 5 honor march was scheduled, there was no expectation that a confrontation would take place. As for the whole Pride Week, the MP evaluated the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as effective.

Papuashvili says that the majority is also discussing the summoning of Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri to the parliament.

Homophobic and violent groups physically assaulted 53 members of various media outlets in front of police during an anti-Pride rally in Tbilisi on July 5. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has detained only 15 people for violence so far.