A TV news cameraman has died after he was attacked by a far-right mob protesting an LGBTQ Pride march, his employer says.
Alexander Lashkarav, 37, who worked for the independent station TV Pirveli, was found dead in his bed early Sunday, July 11, after he was violently beaten in Tbilisi, in the country of Georgia, a week prior, the Guardian reported.
The cameraman was among more than 50 journalists who were attacked on July 5 by violent hate groups protesting the upcoming Pride march before it was canceled due to safety concerns, the outlet reported.
Police had to intervene to stop the mob from attacking journalists during the protest against LGBT members on July 5, 2021, in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Lashkarav suffered fractures to his facial bones, though it is unclear what caused his death, the outlet reported.
Georgia’s interior ministry said an investigation has been launched into his death.
Georgia’s President, Salome Zourabichvili said Sunday, July 11, that she had visited Lashkarava’s family.
“What happened is a tragedy, and I send my condolences to the entire media community and to all of Georgia,” she wrote on Twitter. “It must be investigated, and those responsible must be punished.”