The Public Defender of Georgia has released a statement about the threats against her. According to the statement, Nino Lomjaria is threatened with death and the threats are made on the internet. The Public Defender welcomes the launch of the investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and calls on the Ministry to open an investigation into the threats and coerce against deputy Public Defenders on June 14.
"The Public Defender of Georgia, Nino Lomjaria, is threatened with death on the internet. The threat was followed by the Public Defender"s statements, calling for protection of the right to assembly and manifestation. On 18-23 June, the Public Defender responded with a special statement to the Pride March planned by LGBT + community and due to the high homophobic attitudes in the country, called on the law enforcers to allow the rally organizers to enjoy their constitutional right and to protect their security.
In parallel with the internet threats, in front of the Government Administration on June 14, counter-demonstrators tried to interfere with the activities of deputy Public Defenders – Giorgi Burjanadze and Ekaterine Skhiladze.
The Public Defender of Georgia welcomes the launch of the investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs into the threatening messages spread through the internet. We find it important the investigation to identify all the specific persons or groups who spread threatening messages, to outline the purpose and motive of their activities and discuss imposing responsibility on them.
The Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to open an investigation into the threats and coerce against deputy Public Defenders in front of the Government’s Administration on June 14.
“The Public Defender hopes that the investigation will be conducted in a timely and efficient manner. We also express our readiness to cooperate with the investigation," the Ombudsman’s statement reads.