The News in Brief
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Dream Party Plans Legislative Changes to Strengthen Criminal Penalties for Insulting Religious Buildings and Objects
The Georgian Dream party plans to introduce legislative changes to strengthen criminal penalties for insulting religious buildings and objects. This announcement was made by Anri Okhanashvili, the Chairman of the Legal Committee, during a briefing in the Parliament. Okhanashvili stated that the motivation behind this initiative stems from the damage inflicted on the icon of Matrona in the Trinity Cathedral. The damaged fragment of the icon depicts the Soviet dictator Stalin alongside Matrona. Okhanashvili further asserted that the public protest over the icon's damage is justified.
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According to him, such 'non-Christian' behavior is unacceptable in a place of sacred importance for society. >
"It is true that the incident that occurred in Holy Trinity Cathedral is against current Georgian legislation and entails appropriate responsibility, although the existing laws do not prescribe proportional consequences for such actions. Therefore, we have already initiated an in-depth study of the mentioned issue. We will examine international practices, especially those of EU member states, consider the approaches of the Strasbourg Court, have consultations, and initiate relevant legislative changes soon," Okhanashvili said.
Education Minister Amilakhvari Accuses Activist Nata Peradze of 'Blasphemy'
The Minister of Education of Georgia, Giorgi Amilakhvari responded to activist Nata Peradze's act of splashing paint on the icon of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in Trinity Cathedral, accusing her of carrying out similar attacks on the Georgian state and the Georgian church for an extended period.
"We have seen another similar blasphemous manifestation and another attack on our mother church, which has an inseparable role and history in the history of Georgia. Society is wise, and society sees everything." Amilakhvari said.
The Education Minister also addressed the pro-Russian radical Alt Info group's rally near the residence of activist Nata Peradze and expressed satisfaction that people themselves responded to the 'blasphemy'.
"If there were no evaluation from our politicians and the government, you can see that society has given these people the answer and has answered the blasphemy, the very unnatural, unkind intentions behind it," the Minister said.
Georgian Dream Party Plans Legislative Changes to Strengthen Criminal Penalties for Insulting Religious Buildings and Objects
According to him, such 'non-Christian' behavior is unacceptable in a place of sacred importance for society. >
"It is true that the incident that occurred in Holy Trinity Cathedral is against current Georgian legislation and entails appropriate responsibility, although the existing laws do not prescribe proportional consequences for such actions. Therefore, we have already initiated an in-depth study of the mentioned issue. We will examine international practices, especially those of EU member states, consider the approaches of the Strasbourg Court, have consultations, and initiate relevant legislative changes soon," Okhanashvili said.
Education Minister Amilakhvari Accuses Activist Nata Peradze of 'Blasphemy'
"We have seen another similar blasphemous manifestation and another attack on our mother church, which has an inseparable role and history in the history of Georgia. Society is wise, and society sees everything." Amilakhvari said.
The Education Minister also addressed the pro-Russian radical Alt Info group's rally near the residence of activist Nata Peradze and expressed satisfaction that people themselves responded to the 'blasphemy'.
"If there were no evaluation from our politicians and the government, you can see that society has given these people the answer and has answered the blasphemy, the very unnatural, unkind intentions behind it," the Minister said.