The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) has issued a statement regarding individuals currently in the so-called neutral zone at the Dariali border crossing.

According to the Ministry, 17 individuals remain in the neutral zone at this stage. Although they claim to be Ukrainian citizens, they do not possess the required documentation for border crossing and do not meet the criteria for entry into Georgia. Furthermore, the MIA clarified that these individuals have prior convictions for serious or exceptionally serious criminal offences.

The Ministry stated that the Georgian side is continuing intensive negotiations with Ukrainian authorities and international organisations to ensure the organised, safe, and voluntary return of these individuals to their homeland.

“We wish to respond to the information circulating regarding the individuals in the so-called neutral zone at the Dariali Border Checkpoint, and to address the baseless allegations levelled against the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

We clarify that 17 individuals currently remain in the so-called neutral zone of the Dariali Border Checkpoint; there are no women or children among them.

The individuals in the neutral zone claim to be Ukrainian citizens. However, they do not possess the valid documentation to cross the border and do not meet the criteria for admission into the state of Georgia. Furthermore, in the interest of national security, these individuals are barred from entering the country owing to their criminal convictions of serious or exceptionally serious offences.

As is publicly known, following extensive and multifaceted negotiations between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and Ukrainian authorities, a significant number of Ukrainian citizens at the Dariali Border Checkpoint, who wished to return home voluntarily, have already departed Georgia via a third country.

The Georgian side is continuing intensive talks with the Ukrainian authorities and international organisations to ensure the organised, safe, and voluntary return of the remaining 17 individuals to their homeland.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia reaffirms its continued readiness to take all appropriate measures within its authority and to assist the Ukrainian side in facilitating the return of individuals stationed at Georgia’s border to their homeland.

Moreover, we firmly emphasise that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, in coordination with the relevant embassy in Georgia and representatives of international organisations, is actively providing for the primary, essential needs of the individuals currently in the so-called neutral zone,” reads the ministry’s statement.