The Parliament of Georgia has adopted the draft amendments to the Law on State Property that enables the Patriarchate to receive the state forests with the right of ownership.

Pursuant to the draft law on State Property, Georgian Orthodox Church will be able to own the forest areas adjacent to the churches and monasteries, not more than 20 hectare per case. 

The Republican Party has stated that these amendments give the Georgian Orthodox Church an unjustified advantage. There is no other organization in Georgia that enjoys similar rights.

According to the party, the explanatory memorandum to the bill does not reflect the legal basis and expediency for making the change.