Four Georgian opposition TV channels suspend broadcast for 24 hours
TBILISI. July 14 (Interfax) - Four Georgian opposition television channels have suspended their broadcasts for 24 hours in protest against violence against journalists.
Following the death of TV Pirveli cameraman Lekso Lashkarava, who was injured in the course of protests in Tbilisi, the management of TV Pirveli, Mtavari Arkhi, Formula, and Kavkasia demanded that the authorities punish everyone guilty of the violence.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's resignation has also been demanded.
The four television companies are now broadcasting the names of 53 journalists beaten on July 5 on a black screen.
TV Pirveli cameraman Lashkarava was hurt in a brawl with opponents of the LGBT community and was taken to the hospital with broken facial bones. He was discharged three days later and found dead in his apartment on July 11. The authorities have said he died of a drug overdose.
Lashkarava's death triggered massive opposition demonstrations demanding the resignation of the Georgian government, which the opposition holds responsible for the beatings of employees of the mass media.