The ECHR ruled to pay compensation to Muslims in Georgia for insulting religious feelings

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued a decision in the case of obstacles to the work of a Muslim school in Georgian in the city of Kobuleti (Adjara). One of the eight applicants was awarded compensation for moral damage in the amount of 1,000 euros, and another seven – 1,600 euros each.

According to the court, the police did not stop discriminatory actions on the basis of religious intolerance by local residents against madrassas. The ECtHR found that the privacy, dignity and religious beliefs of members of the Muslim community were not adequately protected by the authorities.

The complaint also alleged a violation of the article prohibiting torture and degrading treatment (Article 3 of the Convention). The ECHR noted that the incident with the hanging of a pig's head on the door of the madrasah building was humiliating for Muslims, but refused to consider the complaint under this article.

In 2014, residents of Kobuleti blocked the central highway in protest against the opening of a madrasah. They hung a pig's head on the door of the building. Later, mass rallies took place demanding the closure of the Muslim school.

The Chief Mufti of Georgia, Jemal Paksadze, called on the Prime Minister, the Chairman of Parliament and representatives of the security forces to respond to the incident in a timely manner. According to him, this fact offends the Muslims of Georgia and could lead to the outbreak of confrontation on religious grounds.

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