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Russian or Belarusian in Georgia

Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise

Russian or Belarusian in Georgia

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

  • Visa-free stays of up to 365 days. Agencies and law firms report that since 2026 insurance for the whole stay is required at entry; check. Leaving to 'reset' your stay can end in an unexplained entry refusal; a residence permit is safer.
  • Foreigners joining protests face fines of up to 5,000 lari, up to 60 days' detention and expulsion with an entry ban of up to 3 years. Russian Denis Kulanin was nearly deported to Russia after being pardoned.
  • Since 2026 Georgia has again been extraditing people to Russia on 'ordinary' criminal charges. If you are wanted, lawyers advise finding counsel early and gathering evidence the case is political.
  • If detained, ask for an interpreter and a lawyer and tell your family. Where to turn: The Ark (Kovcheg), the Transparency International Georgia legal centre.

current as of September 25. More: Amnesty: the case of Denis Kulanin; NewsGeorgia: extraditions to Russia resume; JAMnews: who is barred from entering Georgia

Who helps

2 organisations

The Ark (Kovcheg)

Legal advice for people who have left (documents, residence permits, visas, asylum, extradition risk), temporary housing, free psychologists, mutual-aid chats by city.

Lawyers via the Telegram bots @kovcheglive_bot and @EmigrantHelpBot; psychologists and housing via forms on the website. The project was set up with support from the Anti-War Committee, designated 'terrorist' in Russia in March 2026; The Ark itself is a 'foreign agent'.

If Telegram doesn't open: team@kovcheg.live

abroad foreign agent link checked September 25
Get in touch kovcheg.live

Lawyers for political cases →

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