Orthodox Church Calls for Calm

Politicians and people should all show restraint, mutual respect and ?be constructive,? the Georgian Orthodox Church said in a statement amid an ongoing protest rally outside Parliament aimed at releasing ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili.

?Free expression of opinion is part of democracy,? the statement issued on September 28 said. ?But it also has its limits, because if it grows into fierce confrontation the process will have dangerous consequences for the country.?

It also said that the use of the Georgian Orthodox Church for political means was ?totally unacceptable? ? a clear reference to a recent statement by Irakli Okruashvili who said that President Saakashvili had an ?inner hatred? of the Church.

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