Baku-APA. The European Union officials on Friday appealed to head of the Georgian Orthodox Church to help restore social order after scuffles flared up at an anti-homophobia rally in the Georgian capital.
"I am informed that the demonstration today in Tbilisi very tragically ended in violence with individuals being injured. I am also informed that there is still unrest in the streets and a risk of still further violence," said EU's human rights advisor Thomas Hammarberg.
Philip Dimitrov, EU ambassador to Georgia, said he had been disappointed by the fact that rights of expression had been "violently blocked today by counter-demonstrators."
Georgian Orthodox supporters gathered on Friday to try to stop an anti-homophobia rally organized by an NGO Identoba.
Counter-demonstrators outnumbered police officers as well as anti-homophobia activists. The activists had to be ferried away by government-prepared buses after several people were injured in scuffles.
Quarrels and scuffles were reportedly flashing on and off in other parts of the city though most people had left the rally in front of the former parliament building in downtown Tbilisi.
The Georgian Orthodox Church has already called up its followers and worshippers to a service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
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