TV operator dies after being beaten up at anti-LGBT action in Tbilisi

Relatives found Lekso Lashkarava, a cameraman of the "TV-Pirveli" Company, who was beaten up during riots at actions against the gay parade in Tbilisi, dead.

On July 6, in Tbilisi, policemen detained more than 100 people for committing offenses during a rally of opponents of the gay parade. 25 persons were recognized as victims, including 19 media professionals. A foreign tourist was stabbed; according to media reports, he was attacked because he had an earring.

Miranda Bagaturiya, a journalist of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company, said that she was in the office with Lashkarava, when a group of broke therein. According to her story, his colleague stood up for her, after which the attackers grabbed him and began beating up.

According to Ms Bagaturiya, they were blocked up in the office and were defenceless. The cameraman "was lying in a pool of blood; and 20 people beat him up mercilessly."

The "Caucasian Knot" has also reported that after riots at LGBT events foreign tourists began rejecting their reservations in Tbilisi hotels.