364 foreign citizens, mostly Ukrainians, register for asylum in Georgia between January-March
In the first three months of the year, 364 foreign citizens were registered as asylum seekers in Georgia, with 126 Ukrainian nationals and 21 Russian citizens requesting the status in the country. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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In the first three months of the year, 364 foreign citizens were registered as asylum seekers in Georgia, with 126 Ukrainian nationals and 21 Russian citizens requesting the status in the country, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Friday.
The state body said the number of asylum seekers had increased “significantly” compared to last year, when only three citizens of Ukraine and 54 Russian nationals registered for the status in Georgia.
Asylum seekers also involved 52 citizens of Turkey, 31 of Iran, 17 of Afghanistan and 16 of Egypt.
A total of 51 asylum seekers received humanitarian status, of which:
- 21 were citizens of Afghanistan
- 13 were citizens of Ukraine
- 7 were citizens of Yemen
Nine foreign nationals have been granted the status of a refugee, including citizens of Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, while the status was denied to 194 foreign nationals, including 10 Russians citizens.
During the same period, a total of 40 foreign citizens were deported from Georgia, four of whom were Russian citizens. Citizens of Turkey, Iran, India and Egypt were also among those deported.
Oleksandr Shulga, the First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy for Economic Affairs, has expressed gratitude to all countries, including Georgia, that have welcomed and sheltered Ukrainian citizens since the outbreak of war in the country last month.
TV channel Formula reported today that 60 Georgian citizens were deported from Sweden and Germany. Formula TV also reported that the Georgian citizens were living in Germany and Sweden and wanted to seek asylum there.
2,163 Georgian citizens have requested asylum in Germany between January and August 2021, making for a total five percent of applications, Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) says.
The Georgian Court of Appeals has upheld the verdict of Tbilisi City Court earlier today and ruled against the extradition of Russian businessman Sergey Bokarev, who is requesting asylum in Georgia.
Georgia doing "the best a small country can do"
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has highlighted Georgia's contribution to international support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion by saying his Government was "doing its best" both in sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and providing assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war and currently located in Georgia.