Roman Catholics, Baptists, and Lutherans have been allowed to operate in Abkhazia. Jehovah's Witnesses are officially banned, but Jehovah's Witnesses communities in some parts of Abkhazia have been able to establish working relationships with local authorities and have thereby been able to hold some meetings. The GOC has not been able to operate in Abkhazia, and GOC and Georgian government officials have complained about the elimination of Georgian architectural elements during restoration efforts by Abkhaz authorities on churches and monasteries historically claimed by the GOC.