Opposition leader accuses arrested ex-PM for journalist’s death, 2021 events

Khatia Dekanoidze from the United National Movement accused former prime minister Irakli Garibashvili of bearing responsibility for the death of cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, and called for accountability over the violent events of 5 July 2021.

Lashkarava was a cameraman for the independent TV Pirveli station who was severely beaten by far-right groups on 5 July 2021, while covering anti-LGBT protests in Tbilisi. He later died at his home on 11 July, six days after the attack. The violence against journalists during the protests injured dozens of media workers and sparked widespread condemnation.

Although initial interim reports from Georgia’s Interior Ministry suggested that drugs found in his body could have contributed to his death, UNESCO added Lashkarava to its list of journalists killed in the line of duty, recognising the broader context of the violence against media representatives. His family and colleagues questioned official findings and pointed to the assault he endured.

Dekanoidze said justice should be equal for all and reiterated opposition demands that Garibashvili be held accountable not only for the July 5 events but also for what she described as encouragement of organised violent groups. She also raised questions about why other senior figures had not been arrested, calling for “objective justice” to be applied consistently to both ordinary citizens and high-ranking officials.

Garibashvili was arrested on Monday for money laundering.