Members of the Gldani Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and Others v. Georgia (dec.)

Information Note on the Court’s case-law 66July 2004Members of the Gldani Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and Others v. Georgia (dec.) - 71156/01Decision 6.7.2004 [Section II]Article 9Article 9-1Freedom of religionUnpunished attack on a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses: admissibleThe applicants are members of a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In October 1991 the congregation was attacked during a religious meeting by a group of Orthodox believers, headed by an excommunicated priest. The applicants were struck, beaten, trampled on and insulted. Some of them were hospitalised and their medical records confirm serious injuries and trauma, especially to the head, eyes and back. The assailants stole personal effects belonging to the applicants and religious literature, which was burned in front of the victims. No police officer intervened. Film recordings of the attack, made by the med …