Verdict about the Person Accused for Persecution of Jehovah Witnesses

Nino Kimadze

The Court found Zina Zedginidze-Ninua guilty, who was accused of the persecution against Jehovah Witnesses. Lawyer of the Jehovah Witnesses Manuchar Tsimintia informed humanrights.ge about it. Akhaltsikhe district court discussed the appeal against Zina Zedgenidze-Ninua into the March 31, 2015 incident and concluded that during quarrel Zedginidze physically abused Liza Shemazashvili. The court fined Zedgenidze with 500 lari for the committed offence. 

It is noteworthy that in the past, Jehovah Witness Lela Shvelidze, who now participated in the trial as a witness, was accused of the physical assault on Zina Zedgenidze-Ninua; however the charge against her was not confirmed because of lack of evidence.

“The evidence in the case materials raise doubts that Lela Shvelidze was personally abused by the “victim.” In accordance to the collective letter of 11 neighbors, Zina Zedginidze-Ninua was particularly aggressive to her neighbors and constantly abused them,” the report of Human Rights Center reads, which was prepared in the frame of the project Promotion Freedom of Religion in Georgia.

In its conclusion about Shvelidze’s case the Human Rights Center speaks about abuse of power by police officers too; the Center called on the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to investigate the fact. 

“Human Rights Center calls on the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to investigate the case. If the same body investigates the alleged violation committed by police officers it will contradict principle of impartial and objective investigation. One of the main principles of effective investigation is that it is conducted by independent and unbiased body which includes both personal and structural independence. According to the recommendation of the Public Defender of Georgia, the investigation into alleged violation by law enforcement officers must be conducted by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia,” the report of Human Rights Center reads.

It is noteworthy that one chapter of the 2014 Parliamentary Report of the Public Defender was dedicated to the issue of freedom of religion.

“In 2014 the state of Georgia adopted the Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan where one chapter listed planned activities which aim to defend rights and freedom of religious minorities. Also, frequent inadequate measures taken by law enforcement officers with regard to religious violence are still problematic,” the Parliamentary Report of the Public Defender reads.