Alt-Info group held a protest at the parliament on January 13. One of the organizers, Zurab Makharadze, said the protesters were demanding punishment for those individuals who threw paint onto the Matrona icon at the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral.
The Alt-Info members say their demand is fair, since those who assaulted police officers on July 5 and the person who burnt the “rug” [flag] of the European Union are in jail, while activist Nata Peradze, who threw the paint onto the icon, walks free.
“We demand that all those who treat our Mother Church in forms that have crossed the line be punished. Many people say that we bring disorder to peace; in fact, the only thing our people are fighting for is peace,” Makharadze said.
The protest organizer added that the vandalism cannot be tolerated. He also threatened Nata Peradze, saying he would “take care of her” himself.
Ahead of the protest, the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) called on church persons not to take part in destructive activities, if such occurred during the protest at the parliament.
Image source: 1TV
