Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner and his guests left Georgia
Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner and his guests left Georgia

Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner and his guests have left Georgia. Law enforcers mobilized at the Tbilisi International Airport. Civil activists and opposition supporters were on the ground protesting Pozner’s visit to Tbilisi.

Journalist Vladimir Pozner arrived in Georgia on March 31 to mark his birthday. Russian journalist told Russian news agency RIA Novosti, he planned to stay in Georgia till April 3 but left the country early due to the developments.

Activists and opposition leaders first rallied outside the Vinotel Hotel, where the journalist and his guests were having dinner. The opposition supporters claimed Pozner and his guests had violated travel restrictions. As a result, Labor Inspectorate imposed a GEL 10,000 fine on Vinotel hotel.

Russian journalist and his guests left the Vinotel hotel through a police line. The rally continued near the Rooms Hotel, where the journalist was staying with his guests. Opposition supporters threw eggs at the hotel.

The hotel owner Adjara Group stated it shares the protest spirit and expresses concern over the developments. Adjara Group added that it is responsible for ensuring the safety of guests and employees. The hotel hosts any guest without prior verification of their status.

Activists booed and threw eggs at the Russian journalist’s guests when they left the Rooms Hotel for the airport.

Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) stated that Vladimir Pozner is an American citizen and has not violated the law on occupation. However, the police have fined thirty-two out of forty-one people staying at the Vinotel Hotel for the isolation and quarantine rules violation.