19 July 2021, 21:32
Journalists demand to preserve European vector of Georgia’s development
In Batumi and Tbilisi, protesters accused the ruling “Georgian Dream” Party of trying to retract the Georgia’s European integration.
The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on the evening of July 18, President of the European Council Charles Michel arrived in Batumi. Together with representatives of Georgia, as well as the presidents of Ukraine and Moldova, the EU official will discuss the integration of the three countries with the European Union. LGBT opponents held a picket in front of the “Sheraton” Hotel in Batumi, where Charles Michelle held consultations.
Another action took place in front of the “Sheraton” Hotel in Batumi, that time with the participation of opposition journalists. They unfolded posters reading: “The media is a target of attacks” and “Europe is our choice”. The protesters demanded a meeting with Charles Michel to report about persecution of journalists.
On July 5, according to the journalists' estimates, during the riots at actions against the gay parade in Tbilisi, 53 media professionals were beaten up. A total of 24 people were accused of group violence.
According to the activists, the ruling “Georgian Dream” Party is trying to change the western vector of the country, the “Adjara TV” reports today.
Today, another journalistic protest rally has taken place in front of the government office building in Tbilisi. Its members also appealed to Charles Michel for support.
Moreover, about 60 media outlets and local NGOs addressed an open letter to Charles Michel and urged him to be tough during his meetings with the Georgian authorities and publicly point out their failures, hindering the Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, the “News-Georgia” reported.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 19, 2021 at 05:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Galina Gotua Source: CK correspondent
