DFWatch staff

Committee leader Eka Beselia (center). (Sazogadoeba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The May 17 initiative group Saturday met with parliament’s human rights committee in order to discuss the draft statement regarding the violence that occurred that day, when radical priests and activists disrupted a small rally against homophobia. […]

Parliament’s human rights committee has cast doubt on the authenticity of a petition signed by 12 000 people asking for accountability for the violence last month. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–June 20 a protest rally was held at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel while parliament’s human rights committee was holding a meeting inside. A few days ago, the committee presented a draft statement about the events of May 17, when radical clerics and […]

Almost thirty people were injured in the violence during the disruption of a gay rights rally in Tbilisi on May17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The trial of the two priests who are suspects regarding the violent clashes on May 17, is scheduled for July 15. Meanwhile the Prosecutor’s Office didn’t ask the court to place them in pre-trial detention or administrative punishment. […]

Controversy continues over what really happened in Tbilisi on May 17, 2013, and who is to blame. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava criticizes President Mikheil Saakashvili for having ‘incorrectly ordered’ his facts while commenting on a gay rights rally last week. Saakashvili criticized the LGBT activists for having planned a rally the same day […]

‘No to theocracy’ said one part of the demonstrators. The other part wanted a ban on ‘homosexual propaganda’. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two opposing rallies about very sensitive social issues went ahead peacefully in downtown Tbilisi Friday. People gathered at 18:00 to protest against ‘propaganda of homosexuality’, while the other rally was ‘no to theocracy’ – a protest […]

A counter-demonstrator on May 17. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The two opposing sides in Georgia’s gay rights debate are to hold demonstrations at the same spot in Tbilisi today. But Prime Minister Ivanishvili reassures the public that people will be able to express their views peacefully. The first one is in support of the LGBT people […]

President Mikheil Saakashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says that church prayer isn’t an excuse for anyone to violate the law. The PM on Tuesday met with a club of experts and after the meeting he commented on the May 17 events, when Orthodox Christians and clerics […]

Priests removing the police barricades Friday. (Click to enlarge.) (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After the violence yesterday, a gathering is planned today Saturday outside the government building on Ingorokva Street 7 at 15:00 to condemn what happened. Organizers say the goal is to condemn the violence by clerics and others who confronted the LGBT […]

Clerics addressing the anti-gay demonstrators with megaphone Friday. (DFWatch photo.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian church is distancing itself from the violence on May 17, but maintains that LGBT propaganda is not acceptable. Patriarch Ilia II commented on the violent clashes between his parishioners and LGBT campaigners in Tbilisi. Ilia II called […]

Orthodox Christian activists successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration against homophobia in Tbilisi Friday. Twenty eight people were injured. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Orthodox Christian activists Friday successfully prevented a peaceful demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Tbilisi. After numerous violent incidents throughout the day which led to more than twenty people being […]