The Public Defender of Georgia, Nino Lomjaria, has received death threats via the Internet following her statements on the protection of the right to assembly and demonstration. The Public Defender released a special statement in connection with the pride to be held by the LGBT + community on June 18-23 and called on the law enforcers to allow the organizers to realize their rights enshrined in the constitution and to protect their safety, considering the high homophobic attitudes in the country.

Apart from the Internet threats, there were attempts to hinder Deputies of the Public Defender - Giorgi Burjanadze and Ekaterine Skhiladze – in their activities during the demonstration of the LGBT + community in front of the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia on 14 June. In particular, they were verbally abused and threatened with physical abuse.

The Public Defender of Georgia welcomes the launch of an investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in connection with the Internet threats made against her. We believe it is important that the investigation identify all individuals or groups, which spread the threatening messages, as well as the motive and aim of their actions, and to discuss the issue of their responsibility.

The Public Defender also calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to launch an investigation on the threats and violence carried out against the Deputies of the Public Defender of Georgia in front of the Chancellery of the Government on June 14.

The Public Defender hopes that the investigation will be carried out in a timely and efficient manner. We also express our readiness to cooperate with the investigation.