The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Wednesday that approximately 80 individuals currently stranded at the Dariali border crossing have been denied entry due to security concerns and invalid documentation.

The group, arriving from Russian territory and claiming Ukrainian citizenship, presented what authorities described as invalid travel documents. According to the MIA, background checks revealed extensive criminal histories among the vast majority of applicants.

“These individuals have serious criminal records with multiple convictions for grave or particularly grave crimes, as confirmed by prison release certificates they presented,” the ministry stated. “They themselves declare having served sentences in eastern Ukrainian penitentiary facilities.”

The rejected applicants remain in what officials term the “neutral zone” at the border crossing, with Georgian authorities working to coordinate their return.

Georgia has proposed multiple evacuation options to Ukrainian authorities, including both air and sea routes for safely returning the individuals to their homeland. However, Ukrainian officials have yet to commit to a concrete evacuation plan.

“The Ukrainian side is currently refraining from the sea route option and has not made a definitive decision regarding evacuation,” the MIA noted, adding that “active joint consultations are ongoing.”