On March 19, a rally was held in Tbilisi to support Georgian politicians and journalists who were blackmailed with sex tapes. The rally was organized by non-governmental organizations operating in Tbilisi, participants told Meydan TV.
The protesters marched in the center of Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters call for punishing those who took and distributed the intimate images for invading the victims’ privacy.
Rallies held under the slogan, “How does this concern you?!” will also be held in other cities, including Qori, Telavi, Zuqdudi, Batumi and Kutaisi.
On March 11, intimate videos of a female opposition politician from the Free Democrats Party were released on YouTube. On March 14, a threatening video that promised to later release sex tapes of two ruling party members, two opposition politicians and a journalist was posted on social media channels.
The parties did not disclose the identity of the blackmailed politicians. The blackmailed journalist is Inqa Griqolia, a well-known TV host.
Georgian government officials have also expressed their position on this issue.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili told journalists that sex is not a shameful act: “I have always had, have and will have a rich sex life.”
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili commented that these videos blackmailed the entire population of Georgia.
