The officers of Tbilisi Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a result of operative-investigative activities detained U.D. (DoB 1955) for unlawful interference with the journalist’s professional activities under the threats of violence, persecution under violence, or threat of violence and group violence.

The investigation established that on July 5 of the current year, during the counter-manifestation of “Tbilisi Pride” U.D. verbally and physically assaulted the cameraman of “Rustavi 2” while performing his professional duties in vicinities of the “Blue Gallery”.

The investigation is in progress under Article 154, Part II, Article 156, Part II, Subparagraph “A” and Article 225, Part II of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

During the protest rallies held on July 5-6, 27 people were arrested in total for unlawful interference with the journalist’s professional activities under the threats of violence, persecution under violence, or threat of violence and group violence, in particular:

• 23 individuals have been arrested for unlawful interference with the journalist’s professional activities under the threats of violence, persecution under violence, or threat of violence and group violence;
• 3 persons have been arrested for raiding the office of Tbilisi Pride, group violence, persecution under violence or threat of violence and violation of inviolability of domicile or of any other property;
• 1 person was arrested by the police for violence perpetrated against a citizen;

Investigative-operative activities are underway to identify and arrest others involved in the crime.