Religious Minority Group Under Attack

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 16, 2002) – Reports say Jehovah’s Witnesses were attacked in Gori, town in central Georgia on August 15. Allegedly the radical orthodox faction members raided the house where the religious minority group was gathering.

The attackers have beaten Jehovah’s Witnesses and burned their literature. This religious minority group was also attacked in Kaspi, town in central Georgia, on August 15, where the three-day congress of Jehovah’s Witnesses was scheduled to start today. Attackers burned the equipment in the building where the congress is scheduled.   

Maverick ultra-nationalist MP Guram Sharadze, which is known for his radical statements against the religious minorities, is in Kaspi. Jehovah’s Witnesses blame Guram Sharadze and dissident Christian Orthodox group led by excommunicated priest Basil Mkalavishvili in attacks.

Basil Mkalavishvili and his supporters repeatedly lead attacks against the non-Orthodox religious groups, claiming he defends the Georgian Orthodox religion.

International human rights organizations constantly urge the Georgian government to curb permanent attacks against the religious minorities in Georgia. Fifteen members of the Untied States Congress sent a letter to President Eduard Shevardnadze on May 15, 2002 calling on him to help bring an end to the increasing violence against religious minorities.

Georgian President in one of his radiobroadcasts on July 29 admitted that “unfortunately in some cases government cannot prevent violent attacks against the minorities.”

The Georgian law enforcers are also often criticized for inactivity and in some cases even for assisting attackers against the religious minority groups.

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