Georgia, Tbilisi, Apr. 12 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Non-Orthodox prisoners, including Muslims, are discriminated against in prisons, the Georgian Ombudsman's Office said in a report to parliament on the second half of 2009.
The report notes that the office's religions board and the Penal Department signed an agreement in 2006 under which various clergy may visit prisons.
However, since 2008, clergy with affiliations outside the Orthodox Church have been denied entry without the permission of the Georgian patriarchy.
The report notes that many religious denominations consider unacceptable having to apply for a permit to the Orthodox Church.
"It puts religious entities in unequal conditions," the report said.
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