Georgian Gov’t takes action to safeguard its citizens in Turkey

The Government of Georgia has implemented measures to ensure Georgian citizens stranded in Istanbul's International Airport receive food and water before they can board a scheduled flight to Georgia later today.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Georgia Dimitri Kumsishvili told reporters the Government was "doing its utmost" to make sure meals and water reached Georgian passengers, including two minors, who are known to be waiting at the airport.

The group of Georgian citizens were at the airport waiting for a flight home following the declaration of martial law in the country in wake of the attempted military coup late on Friday night.

Kumsishvili said relevant Georgian agencies sought to provide necessary help to the passengers however their efforts were difficult due to the emergency situation in Turkey.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze announced measures taken by his office to safeguard Georgians in Turkey. Photo from the press office of the Foreign Ministry.

Our efforts are made more difficult by the fact that [Turkish] airport employees are also under limitations in terms of movement throughout the [airport] facilities. We are taking all efforts to ensure water and food reaches our citizens," said Kumsishvili.

He also told said Atlas Global airline would operate a special flight for the stranded passengers and return them to Tbilisi later today.

The security situation in Turkey has left Georgian citizens travelling from or through Turkey stranded in transit since Friday night.

A Georgian children's choreographic ensemble travelling from their tour in Bulgaria through Turkey was stopped 60km short of Istanbul on Friday to keep the group safe from fighting between coup organisers and governmental forces.

Their bus was later cleared to continue driving to Istanbul and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia said Georgia's consulate in the city would remain in "constant contact" with the group during their travel.

Meanwhile Georgia's Embassy in Ankara has set up a hotline for Georgian citizens living in Turkey or on vacation in the country's resort cities, but it has not yet received any information on Georgians having come under threat.

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze released a statement early this morning urging Georgian citizens in Turkey to refrain from travelling unnecessarily.

Janelidze also expressed his hope to see the situation in Turkey stabilise shortly.