The Georgian government has announced plans to deport 25 foreigners who participated in mass protests in November and December 2024. The protests were triggered by allegations of fraud and intimidation in the October 26 elections, in which the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed victory. The Migration Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry has initiated expulsion proceedings against these individuals and has imposed administrative penalties on them. While 10 of the 25 foreigners have already left the country, the nationalities of the individuals have not been specified. Reports suggest that over 20 foreign nationals were detained during the protests, with most of them being Russians.
As tensions escalated, foreigners who attended the protests were summoned en masse to the Migration Department in December. This move has been criticized by human rights activists, who argue that deporting foreign nationals for participating in peaceful demonstrations goes against international standards and national laws. According to News Georgia, a total of 91 foreigners were ordered to leave the country between November and December 2024, with more than a quarter of them being involved in anti-government protests. The ruling Georgian Dream party, led by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, has faced backlash for its close ties to Russia and its hindrance of Georgia’s accession to the European Union.
The political crisis in Georgia, exacerbated by the disputed election results and the government’s alignment with Russia, has led to widespread protests in Tbilisi. Citizens have been demonstrating against the government’s democratic backsliding and illiberal practices. The protests have continued for days, with discontent growing over the government’s failure to uphold democratic principles and ensure fair elections. The announcement that Georgia’s integration into the EU could be postponed until 2028 further fueled the protests, with demonstrators expressing their frustration and demanding political reforms.
The controversial foreign agents law, passed earlier in the year, has strained Georgia’s relations with the European Union, leading to a freeze in the country’s accession process. The ruling party’s alignment with Russia and its crackdown on dissent have raised concerns about Georgia’s democratic future and its commitment to European values. The mass deportations of foreigners who participated in protests have sparked outrage among human rights activists and highlighted the government’s disregard for international norms. As tensions continue to simmer in Georgia, the outcome of the protests and the government’s response will be closely watched by the international community.
