EP President condemns disruption of Tbilisi Pride festival

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on Tuesday condemned the “violent disruption” of the Tbilisi Pride festival by the far-right, pro-Kremlin Conservative movement on Saturday.  

 

“The life and safety of the LGBTQ+ community should be a priority. The people deserve to live free from fear. From here I want to express our solidarity and support to them”, Metsola said at the opening of the EP’s plenary session. 

 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has confirmed the arrest of two individuals for petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police, as well as opening of investigation related to theft at the site, where the festival was meant to be conducted, by the members and supporters of the movement. 

 

The members of the violent group broke into the site early on Saturday, damaging the flags of the LGBTQ+ community and the European Union, before damaging and stealing the properties of Tbilisi Pride. 

 

Tbilisi Pride, a domestic NGO promoting the rights of sexual minorities, on Monday announced a legal fight against the country’s interior ministry, accusing the body of “cooperation” with the far-right group. 

 

Domestic NGOs and diplomatic corps have strongly condemned the developments, expressing concerns the law enforcement were unable to deter the “violent group”.