Merab (Yusuf) Mikeladze, a resident of Adigen, who was prevented from holding Friday prayers in his home on March 8 by Orthodox clergy and locals, has appealed to the Special Investigation Service to initiate an investigation. His interests are represented by the non-governmental organization Social Justice Center.
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The Social Justice Center is urging the Special Investigative Service to promptly initiate an investigation into the ongoing persecution of Georgian Muslims in Adigeni. They are requesting that all necessary investigative actions be taken for an effective response to the case, including timely questioning of the clergy involved in the persecution.
"The continuity of threats and harassment, along with the clear indication of religious intolerance, suggests that the local Orthodox congregation and clergy, including Nikoloz Getsadze, are likely being persecuted on the grounds of religious intolerance. This is punishable under Article 156 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, and the investigation of this crime falls under the mandate of the Special Investigative Service," stated the non-governmental organization.
On March 8, during the traditional Friday Juma prayer, Orthodox clergy and part of the congregation, about 200 people, gathered near the building belonging to Imam Merab (Yusuf) Mikeladze in Adigen township and asked the Muslims there to leave the house. At that time, there were only three people in the building who were praying. In the distributed video footage, it can be seen that Nikoloz Getsadze, the abbot of the Zarzma monastery, despite the police cordon, tried to break into the house of Imam Merab (Yusuf) Mikeladze and threatened him with violence.
The Social Justice Center emphasizes that a similar incident occurred last Friday, March 1, when Orthodox clerics, including Nikoloz Getsadze, asked Muslims to leave the building. A similar episode of harassment of the Muslim community took place in July 2023.
"At that time, local Orthodox clerics came to Merab (Yusuf) Mikeladze's building and threatened the Muslim leaders to stop their religious activities. A verbal altercation ensued, which was resolved by the police. Following the incident, negotiations were held involving local and central authorities, as well as Orthodox and Muslim clerics. As a result, concessions were made to avoid conflict and confrontation. They agreed to temporarily continue praying in the building belonging to Imam Merab (Yusuf) Mikeladze in Adigen township until the local self-government in the distant Ijareti village acquired a new space for religious activities. However, the self-government has yet to provide an alternative building for Muslims," stated the Social Justice Center
The organization notes that in previous years, the violation of the rights of the Georgian Muslim community in Adigeni did not receive an appropriate legal response from the state. This creates a climate of impunity and real conditions for the recurrence of violence.
