Today, the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili responded to the events on Rustaveli Avenue and condemned the violence. The President released a statement, which bm.ge offers unchanged:
"Violence is unacceptable! I condemn today's events and the manifestation of any form of violence, persecution of people for dissent, or gender identity. Everyone has the right to exercise their constitutional right and to express their opinion freely!
I call on everyone to act within the framework of the Constitution and not to provoke violence through radical actions.
Violence against media representatives and obstruction of professional activities, as well as intrusion into and attacks on the offices of public organizations, are unacceptable.
I call on everyone to show restraint and the relevant authorities to ensure public order maintenance and prevent any violent acts!
Any encouragement that promotes radical actions polarizes the society, stirs up controversy, damages the country, threatens the stability of the state, and is unacceptable," the President said in a statement.
On the morning of July 5, violent groups gathered on Rustaveli Avenue. They announced the disruption of the Tbilisi Pride - march of dignity.
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said that it is not expedient to hold a pride march. After that, violent groups attacked opposition tents, beat journalists, and destroyed the Pride offices in Tbilisi. The perpetrators are still walking the streets of the city, throwing stones at cars. They even tried to break into the UN office.
No one has been arrested by the police so far. An investigation has been launched into allegations of violence, obstruction of journalists, and damage to other people's property.
Embassies in Tbilisi, UN system in Georgia, the United States, and the EU Delegation to Georgia have made a joint statement.
