Far-Right Mob Attacks Tbilisi’s Pride Festival in Georgia

Tbilisi’s Pride Festival, held in the capital of Georgia, faced a distressing turn of events as it was violently disrupted by a mob consisting of far-right and anti-LGBTQIA+ groups. The festival had to be cancelled due to the chaos caused by the attackers. Organizers of the Tbilisi Pride Festival reported that approximately 2,000 individuals forcefully broke through a police blockade and stormed the stage area. The mob, which included members of the Orthodox Christian Church and the conservative TV brand Alt-Info, engaged in destructive behavior such as burning rainbow flags.

Fortunately, the festival’s setup crew was swiftly evacuated to safe locations via shuttle buses, and no injuries were reported. The Deputy Interior Minister, Alexander Darakhvelidze, reassured the public, stating, “Nobody was harmed during the incident, and police are now taking measures to stabilize the situation.” While the organizers have accused the authorities of colluding with the protestors to disrupt the festival, the government minister defended the police’s efforts, acknowledging the challenges faced in securing an open area event. Prior to the festival, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the police had provided the organizers with assurances of protection. The Georgian president has condemned the attack.

The violent attack on Tbilisi’s Pride Festival highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in Georgia and the importance of advocating for inclusivity and tolerance in society.