A 21-year-old Lazare Grigoriadis made headlines after being arrested following the March protests against the Russia-style "foreign agents" legislation targeting Georgian NGOs.
In an interview with the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian service, Grigoriadis shows defiance, accusing Georgian Dream leaders of efforts to discredit the protest movement and play on homophobic impulses in society.
Government critics say Grigoriadis was specifically targeted due to his distinctive appearance and non-Georgian-sounding family name. They believe these factors were intentionally used to undermine and discredit the successful March protests, which ultimately forced the ruling GD party to withdraw the widely condemned bill.
During the protests, GD Chair Irakli Kobakhidze made derogatory remarks about Grigoriadis, using homophobic language to question his motivations, calling him an individual with a “confused orientation.” Later, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili referred to Grigoriadis as "some dirty person" and declared that anyone who raised a hand against the police would face the full force of the state. Grigoriadis subsequently filed a lawsuit against both Garibashvili and Kobakhidze for their offensive comments but was met with rejection by the court.
In the interview, Grigoriadis addressed PM Garibashvili and GD Chair Kobakhidze directly:
"I understand that recalling the law in March deeply upset both of you. I am aware of your attitudes towards minority groups and your lack of commitment to protecting their rights and freedom of expression... Irakli, you insinuated that I have a "confused orientation," suggesting that I am homosexual, gay, or bisexual, and you intended to tarnish my reputation. The choice of words 'orientationally confused' is not only an attack on my honor and dignity but an insult to every person with a different sexual orientation."
When asked if he has any regrets, Grigoriadis remains defiant, "No, I don't regret anything. I have carefully analyzed the purpose and potential outcomes of my actions... Paradoxically, I feel much freer here than I did on the outside."
A number of rallies and petitions have campaigned for Grigoriadis’ release. One of them was even attended by Viola von Cramon, a leading German Green MEP.
In April, crowdfunding efforts garnered up to 28,000 GEL in support of Grigoriadis.
In June, Grigoriadis' father, Beka Grigoriadis, resorted to self-harm in protest after the police prevented him from setting up a tent near the Georgian parliament. Moreover, he was subsequently fined 800 GEL for “insulting” the Police during a Facebook live session, amplifying freedom of speech concerns in Georgia.
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