Tbilisi Pride announces legal fight against Georgian interior ministry

Tbilisi Pride, a domestic NGO promoting the rights of sexual minorities, on Monday announced a legal fight against the Georgian interior ministry, following the disruption of its festival in the outskirts of Tbilisi on Saturday by a far-right, pro-Russian Conservative Movement. 

The organization, which earlier claimed the body had ensured “solid guarantees” for the conduction of the festival – a final part of a week-long pride week, had accused the body of “cooperation” with the violent group, whose members damaged the location and stole items. 

“We strongly believe there was a pre-planned, coordinated operation between the body and the group”, the organization claimed. 

The ministry evacuated the participants of the festival early on Saturday, after the law enforcement were unable to stop the members of the far-right group. 

The diplomatic corps have strongly condemned the developments and the “violation” of the law on assembly and expression. 

Tbilisi Pride had no march this year, which earlier caused clashes in Tbilisi.