The Ministry of Culture issued a new statement responding to international criticism of an earlier announcement that it intended to “remove” Armenian “forgeries” from churches on its territory.
The minister of culture said that a working group will be set up to identify what he called “Armenian forgery” from churches, putting into practice a pseudoscientific theory that denies the churches’ Armenian origin.
The suicide of a man who was forced to flee Abkhazia 30 years ago has put the spotlight on the emotional and economic plight of hundreds of thousands of Georgian IDPs.
The trend began as a way for wealthy businessmen to show off their philanthropy and religiosity. Now communities are using limited funds to erect the towering symbols of Christianity.
Last year Baku took the surprising step of announcing the prosecutions of four soldiers for crimes against Armenians. But there is no word on what happened since – and no reciprocation from Armenia, either.
The government is heavily publicizing the concept, which could increase the economic efficiency of rural communities but also place them under greater central control.