For Immediate Release
January 20, 2003

Religious freedom attorney assaulted in Georgian court

RUSTAVI, Georgia—On Friday, January 17, Manuchar Tsimintia, an attorney representing victims of religiously motivated violence, was himself a victim of such violence when he was assaulted in the Rustavi Trial Court by Paata Bluashvili, leader of the ultra-Orthodox extremist organization, "Jvari." Tsimintia was punched in the face and stomach as several court officials looked on. He is representing Jehovah's Witnesses who have been injured in mob attacks led by Bluashvili. Despite numerous motions asking for his arrest pending trial, Bluashvili continues at large, and such assaults also continue to occur.

Over the last three years, almost 800 criminal complaints have been filed with the Prosecutor's Office against known religious extremists who have carried out violent attacks against Jehovah's Witnesses. To date, not one of these individuals has been arrested or convicted for these criminal acts.

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