Azernews.Az

The EU Delegation to Georgia has issued a statement on the May 17 events in Tbilisi.

"The heads of diplomatic missions of EU member states and the EU Delegation in Georgia are outraged by the aggressive intolerance manifested by some demonstrators on May 17 and disgraceful scenes of violence, the aim of which was to prevent other demonstrators from peacefully expressing their views," the statement says.

The EU believes that the freedom of expression of every person holds crucial importance, as it has repeatedly pointed out. This was also noted in the latest statement of the EU High Representative for a Common Foreign and Security Policy, Vice-President of the EU Catherine Ashton, the statement says.

"The European Union believes that it is necessary to fight against discrimination on all grounds, including sexual orientation and to promote tolerance as the basis for a peaceful and democratic society. The European Union is calling on the Georgian government to follow international European standards of dignity, equality and freedom, which Georgia has recognized. The European Union calls on Georgia to protect the rights of all its citizens with all available means," the statement says.

On May 17, a crowd of thousands of people consisting of clerics and parishioners was dispersed by the police.

28 people were injured as a result of the unrest in Tbilisi and taken to a hospital.