Georgia - Q&A from the press briefing (16 July 2021)

Q: Is the French government considering the possibility of imposing sanctions on the people suspected of inciting violence against minorities and media outlets in Georgia, which caused the death of one of my colleagues, Alexandr “Lekso” Lashkarava? Especially given the fact that this wasn’t the first time, and comes in the wake of threats, pressure and attacks by members of the government and members of the majority party in the Georgian Parliament.

A: France strongly condemns the violence on July 5 in Tbilisi which left more than 50 people injured. It reiterates its commitment to respect for LGBTQ+ people and the protection of journalists.

France calls on the Georgian authorities to thoroughly investigate these serious events and take all necessary measures to prosecute those responsible for the violence, including the violence that led to the death of Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman for the station Pirveli TV, who died on July 11.

France reaffirms its attachment to Georgia’s full respect for its European and international commitments.