Georgia deports foreign nationals involved in protests

Georgia has deported foreign nationals who participated in pro-European protests in Tbilisi, following accusations of administrative violations.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 91 foreign nationals were ordered to leave the country during November and December 2024, with over a quarter of them involved in the pro-European integration demonstrations, Caliber.Az reports citing Georgian media.

The Ministry's statement confirmed that deportation procedures were initiated for 25 individuals who took part in protests during this period, and who had been sentenced to various administrative penalties by the court. Of these 25, 10 individuals have already left Georgia. However, the Ministry has not disclosed their nationalities.

Reports from public organizations and the media estimate that among the 450 individuals detained during the protests, over 20 were foreigners, most of whom were reportedly Russian nationals.

The protests in Georgia were sparked by the October 2024 parliamentary elections, in which the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed victory. The opposition rejected the election results, and the ruling party also announced a suspension of the country's integration into the European Union, fueling widespread protests.

Additionally, on December 14, the Electoral College elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player known for his anti-Western views, as the new president. Kavelashvili was sworn in on December 29, following the departure of the fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, from the presidential palace.

By Vafa Guliyeva