Those who suffered in Tbilisi's 17 May 2013 crackdown on anti-homophobic protests to be paid damages

On 15 May, the Georgian Appeals Court has upheld the Tbilisi City Court’s ruling, under which the Georgian Interior Ministry should compensate those who suffered on 17 May 2013- the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) reports.

The compensation for moral damage amounts to GEL 12,500 and will be distributed among those who participated and suffered in a peaceful rally on 17 May 2013, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

According to the GYLA spokesperson, the Appeals Court ruling proves that, 4 years ago, the Interior Ministry failed to protect its citizens, while the authorities’ negligence and inaction meant that they actually encouraged violence against their own citizens.

On 17 May 2013, dozens of people opposed and physically abused participants in a peaceful rally dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The Appeals Court found that the Interior Ministry’s actions were inefficient and that the agency had to deploy a number of adequately equipped police officers and use all the available levers to protect the rally participants.