UBS office in Georgia targeted
by religious extremists
TBILISI, Georgia — The Rt Rev
Malkhaz Songulashvili, Presiding Bishop of the Baptist Union of Georgia
and the General Secretary of the United Bible
Societies’ office in Georgia, appealed to President Eduard Shevardnadze’s
Chancellery for help after hearing rumours that followers of defrocked
Georgian Orthodox priest Vasili Mkalavishvili were planning to attack
one of his three offices in Tbilisi. With help from the authorities, he
was able to arrange a guard for Bible Society staff, who were determined
to remain at work. Bishop Songulashvili has called for continued assistance
from the international community in the face of threats to religious freedom.
In an e-mail to supporters abroad he said, “Your prayerful support
for the Republic of Georgia is much needed”, as minority religious
groups remain vulnerable to attack from the followers of Mr Mkalavishvili.
(WR 369/6 - 7/8.02) e-199
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