Monday, February 16, 2026

Georgian Church explains its position on the May 17 events

mikael botkoveli
Spokesman for the Georgian Orthodox Church, Mikael Brotkoveli. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church separates itself from the violent incidents of May 17, when clerics disrupted LGBT activists from holding a peaceful rally, resulting in 28 injured.

Church spokesman Mikael Botkoveli on Wednesday evening said at a briefing

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Four arrested for May 17 violence, attacks continuing

bruised arm
The attacks are continuing, according to Identoba. Two women were beaten in the street. One of them had bite marks on her arm afterwards. (Identoba.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Police have detained four persons suspected of resisting police and petty hooliganism on May 17, when Orthodox Christians held a counter-rally against an attempt at marking the International Day Against Homophobia.

There is one minor among

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Day after violence, LGBT campaigners call for accountability

no to violence 2013-05-18
Repulsed by Friday’s violence, campaigners demand a proper investigation of every incident. (DFWatch photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A peaceful rally to protest Friday’s violent clashes went ahead without serious incidents outside the government office on Saturday.

In the afternoon, LGBT activists and their supporters started gathering in front of the government’s office,

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Activists planning to prevent gay rights rally in Tbilisi

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Last year’s demonstration in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi. (DFWatch photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–An announced gay rights rally is causing outrage among different groups in Georgia who plan to interrupt the rally May 17 and organize parallel rallies against LGBT people in the country.

Non-governmental organizations which work with defending

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Five May Day protesters fined

may day rally - 2013
A demonstration to support labor rights May 1 was violently dispersed by police. (DFWatch photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has fined five participants at a May Day rally in Tbilisi with 400 GEL (USD 240). About two dozen other participants are awaiting sentencing in two months.

The five were fined for petty hooliganism and for disobeying police orders.

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Gay rights activists rally in Tbilisi May 17

parliament  tbilisi
Activists plan to gather outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Human right organizations and gay rights activists plan a flash mob event May 17 outside the old parliament building in Tbilisi.

The flash mob will last half hour and the purpose is to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, which is marked in

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Georgia celebrates Orthodox Easter

bidzina-ivanishvili-eka-khvedelidze
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his wife Eka Khvedelidze celebrated Easter in his home region Sachkhere in the middle of the country. (Official photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Orthodox Church celebrated Easter May Day 5, as the parish attended traditional prayers at churches around the country and the Patriarch conducted midnight mass at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi.

The liturgy started at 11:00 pm Saturday

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