Religious Minorities, NGOs Call Authorities to Curb Radical Orthodox Group’s Activity

(Tbilisi, January 27, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Representatives of the religious minorities in Georgia and human rights advocacy NGOs intend to appeal Georgian government to curb activity of excommunicated Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili?s activity.

On January 24 Basil Mkalavishvili?s group violently raided meeting of the Baptists in Tbilisi.

The group of Basil Mkalavishvili is known for violent attacks on non-orthodox Christian groups, especially against Jehovah’s Witnesses.

?Interior Ministry is responsible for the violent attacks carried out by Mkalavishvili?s group, as law enforcers do nothing to prevent this kind of violence,? Sozar Subeliani of Liberty Institute human rights advocacy NGO told Civil Georgia on January 27.

Nana Kakabadze of NGO Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights told Civil Georgia that the appeal will be ready today and it will be sent to the State Chancellery (President?s administration).

On January 28 representatives of the religious minorities intend to meet Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II concerning case.

International and local human rights organizations, as well as the US administration called the Georgian authorities for many times to curb activity of Basil Mkalavishvili’s extremist group.

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