Georgia warns foreigners about Russia’s provocation attempt

The Georgian Foreign Ministry calls on foreigners not to enter Georgia’s occupied regions from areas other than Georgian-controlled territories.

Georgia believed Moscow’s and Sokhumi’s decision to simplify Abkhazian visa rules for Sochi Olympics visitors was a direct provocation towards Georgia’s sovereignty.

"This aims to mislead foreign citizens,” the Ministry stated.

It said under Georgian Law, entry into occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by foreign citizens from areas other than Georgian-controlled territories was crime that could be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

In response, Georgia called on countries participating in the Winter Olympics to warn their citizens not to violate the Georgian Law on Occupied Territories and not to enter breakaway Abkhazia from Russia.

Abkhazia announced it had simplified visa rules for foreigners willing to enter the region from Russia on February 10.

The de-facto Government did this in an attempt to attract tourists visiting Sochi during the Winter Olympic Games.

Since then, Abkhazia’s de-facto Foreign Ministry have issued visas on the Russian border, at the Psou border crossing point, which is less than 40 kilometers from Sochi. Foreign citizens are not required to apply for visa in advance and can pick one up at the Russian border.

The rule is scheduled to be in force during the period of the Olympics.