Interior ministry releases data on border crossings by Russian nationals, explains rules, grounds for refusal
The Georgian interior ministry on Tuesday released statistics on border crossings to Georgia, rejecting media reports and opposition allegations on “mass influx” of Russian citizens. Photo: interior ministry press office
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The Georgian interior ministry on Tuesday released statistics on border crossings to Georgia made by Russian citizens over the last 10 days and detailed rules for entering the country and grounds for refusal, in response to recent claims by the domestic opposition on a “mass influx” of Russian nationals following the announcement of partial military mobilisation in the country last week for Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
In its statement, the state body noted the number of Russian citizens entering Georgia following the announcement of the mobilisation in their country last Wednesday had increased, and also provided figures for both entries into and exits from the country in the indicated period.
The figures provided by the ministry showing the entry and exit of Russian citizens at all border checkpoints are as follows:
- September 17: entry - 6,986 - exit - 7,406
- September 18: entry - 6,606 - exit - 6,743
- September 19: entry - 6,411 - exit - 6,782
- September 20: entry - 5,603 - exit - 6,199
- September 21: entry - 6,402 - exit - 6,011
- September 22: entry - 6,150 - exit - 6,050
- September 23: entry - 9,307 - exit - 6,214
- September 24: entry - 9,330 - exit - 6,249
- September 25: entry - 11, 143 - exit - 5,519
- September 26: entry - 10, 804 - exit - 4,947
78,742 citizens of Russia entered Georgia and 62,120 left the country in the last 10 days", said the ministry.
Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri said on Tuesday that about 60 percent of recent visitors from Russia were eventually leaving Georgia. Photo: interior ministry press office.
In a bid to “effectively manage the increased flow” from Russia, the ministry said additional interior ministry professionals had been deployed at the Dariali crossing point in northern Georgia, “to ensure border immigration control procedures and public order and prevent possible violations”.
Border control procedures are carried out under special observation, in full compliance with the current legislation of Georgia”, said the ministry, adding that the number of the individuals who had been refused entry had also increased recently.
“The inspection of each foreign citizen at the crossing points is carried out in accordance with internationally recognised best practices”, said the state body, noting its border guards made decisions on whether to allow a foreign national into the country based on their documentation about the purpose of the trip, sufficiency of funds needed for the stay in Georgia and departure, terms of stay in the country in the past and more.
The state body said that foreign citizens were immediately informed about possible reasons for refusal to enter Georgia by border guards and conditions for appealing such decisions.
In other details, the ministry explained mandatory, standard procedures for identifying security risks during border checks had led to formation of queues amid the increased flow across the border. It also said it was continuing to release statistical data on border crossings by individuals and vehicles “proactively”.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said the recent appearance of an armoured military vehicle at the Russia-Georgia border “carries no threats” of military aggression, noting the development was Russia’s “internal issue”.
Georgian interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri on Tuesday rejected the local media claim that said 250,000 individuals from Russia had entered the Georgian territory over the last five days since the announcement of the partial military mobilisation in Russia as a “lie”.
Lasha Khutsishvili, the minister of finance of Georgia, on Monday said the number of individuals entering and leaving the country had both increased recently, stressing the “situation is under full control” at border checkpoints.
The Georgian revenue service on Monday said all customs checkpoints across the country were working “round the clock” amid increased cargo flow throughout the South Caucasus region, adding it had added personnel to the staff at the crossing points to ensure “smooth operation”.
Issues related to the challenges of increased border crossings into Georgia were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili and interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri.
Givi Mikanadze, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said there was “no need at this stage” to convene a meeting of the national security council, in response to president Salome Zourabichvili who on Tuesday said the government could use the format amid a “mass influx” of Russian nationals following the announcement of partial military mobilisation in the country last week.
Georgian deputy minister of internal affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Wednesday said planned opposition rallies at the Georgian-Russian border “at such a time” would be an “additional challenge” for the police.
The Georgian interior ministry on Friday said the flow of Russian nationals across Georgian borders had “significantly decreased” over the past two days, following the recently announced partial mobilisation by the Kremlin to recruit at least 300,000 for its war in Ukraine, which pushed many in the country to flee to evade military service.
Georgian finance minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday said the “total effect” of migration to the country caused by the Russia-Ukraine war was “negative”.
The Georgian Interior Ministry on Saturday said its relevant structural units “were fully controlling” the Georgian-Russian border crossing situation at the Dariali crossing point in the country’s north.
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said the Georgian-Russian border crossing situation was being controlled by the relevant structural units and in case of “any danger” the “appropriate steps” would be taken.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday said the number of border crossings in Georgia totalled 7,180,916 in the third quarter of 2023, of which 76 percent were carried out by foreign citizens and 24 percent by Georgian nationals.