TBILISI -- Religious minority groups in Georgia will receive financial compensation from the government for damages inflicted by the Soviet regime.
Georgia's minister for reconciliation and civic equality, Paata Zakareishvili, announced the government's decision on January 27.
Zakareishvili said the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Muslim and Jewish groups will receive 4.5 million laris ($2.53 million) in 2014.
According to the ministry, the one-time payment represents "partial compensation," while discussions will continue on how to proceed with the allocation of state funds for similar payments in the future.
The Georgian Orthodox Church welcomed the decision as a "positive development."
Zakareishvili also said discussions would continue about adding other religious groups to the list.
All religions were suppressed in the former Soviet Union, where atheism was the official state doctrine.
Georgia's minister for reconciliation and civic equality, Paata Zakareishvili, announced the government's decision on January 27.
Zakareishvili said the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Muslim and Jewish groups will receive 4.5 million laris ($2.53 million) in 2014.
According to the ministry, the one-time payment represents "partial compensation," while discussions will continue on how to proceed with the allocation of state funds for similar payments in the future.
The Georgian Orthodox Church welcomed the decision as a "positive development."
Zakareishvili also said discussions would continue about adding other religious groups to the list.
All religions were suppressed in the former Soviet Union, where atheism was the official state doctrine.