Press release

Director-General deplores death of cameraman Alexander Lashkarava in Georgia

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has deplored the death of television cameraman Alexander Lashkarava on 11 July in Tbilisi, Georgia.

I call on the authorities to ensure the announced investigation into the death of Alexander Lashkarava is transparent and comprehensive. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of violence. These events risk sending a chilling message to others and cannot be allowed to go unpunished.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

Alexander Lashkarava worked for commercial broadcaster TV Pirveli and was one of more than fifty journalists and media workers seriously injured on 5 July during an attack on LGBTQI+ activists in Tbilisi, following the cancellation of a planned Pride march due to fear of violence. He died in his home on 11 July.

Over the past year, UNESCO has been alerting Member States about protecting journalists against attacks while they report on turbulent events (see Safety of journalists covering protests : preserving freedom of the press during times of turmoil).

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.