Kremlin ‘drift’? Georgia turns on Russian opposition exiles

TBILISI: Like 1000’s of Russians who determined to to migrate after their nation invaded Ukraine, Anna Rivina moved to neighbouring Georgia.

However, a 12 months later, she is now not welcome.

A human rights lawyer and anti-domestic violence activist, Rivina stated she was denied entry to Georgia in mid-February after getting back from a piece journey to Armenia.

She shared the destiny of quite a few Kremlin critics barred by Georgia, which has in any other case turn out to be a refuge for tens of 1000’s of Russians for the reason that starting of the struggle.

Immigration officers at Tbilisi airport “decided to not let me in, with out giving any purpose,” the 33-year-old stated in a telephone interview to AFP from Israel.

Russian authorities have cracked down on criticism of the struggle, arresting 1000’s of protesters for the reason that starting of the battle in February final 12 months.

Hundreds of Russian males have additionally fled to neighbouring nations together with Georgia after President Vladimir Putin introduced a partial mobilisation in September.

Initially welcoming, Georgia has over the course of the previous 12 months deported a number of Russian activists with opposition views.

Circumstances that caught the general public eye embrace journalist Filipp Dzyadko, who in keeping with reviews was held within the airport in a single day, and activist Dmitry Aleshkovskiy, who has a spouse and younger daughter dwelling in Tbilisi.

Georgia has additionally denied entry to a number of Russian opposition politicians, together with former opposition MP Dmitry Gudkov and Lyubov Sobol, a key ally of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

– ‘Scary pattern’ –

The bans have sparked criticism from rights teams and opposition forces who accused the ruling Georgian Dream get together of derailing the nation from its pro-Western path and as an alternative adopting a pro-Kremlin course.

Rights activist and former lawmaker Giorgi Kandelaki stated “Rivina’s deportation is a spectacular illustration of how far Georgia’s drift in direction of the Russian orbit has gone.”

“Her deportation must be a wake-up name to anybody in Western capitals who doesn’t need Georgia’s ongoing drift in direction of the Kremlin orbit to go even additional,” he advised AFP.

German politician Viola von Cramon, a European Parliament member who’s actively following Georgia’s democratic document, referred to as the event “extraordinarily worrying, a scary pattern which raises many questions.”

“It’s a questionable behaviour of the Georgian authorities which has clear commitments underneath the Georgia-EU affiliation settlement,” she advised AFP.

Rivina has lived in Georgia since March 2022 and even bought married within the nation.

“I’ll problem the choice in a court docket,” she stated. “I believe it is an insane hypocrisy {that a} nation which has a proclaimed objective of becoming a member of the European Union is pleasant the Russian authorities.”

She was not too long ago declared a “international agent” in Russia, a label that singles out journalists, dissidents or activists that in keeping with the federal government perform foreign-funded actions.

“I’m assured that I used to be not let in simply because my exercise is seen with displeasure in Russia.”

– ‘De-oligarchisation’ –

In a uncommon touch upon the matter final 12 months, the chief of Georgia’s secret service, Grigol Liluashvili, warned in opposition to the “uncontrolled influx of individuals who’re on the forefront of the Russian opposition”, calling it “harmful”.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has defended his “balanced” Russia coverage as geared toward making certain “peace and stability”.

He additionally accused the opposition of attempting to “drag Georgia into the struggle” and open a “second entrance” in opposition to Russia within the nation.

Garibashvili is an in depth ally of the ruling get together founder and billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili who has made his fortune in Russia and is extensively seen as being the person in cost in Georgia, regardless of don’t have any official political position.

Final 12 months, the European Parliament handed a non-binding decision to impose private sanctions on Ivanishvili for his “damaging position” in Georgia’s political and financial life.

The EU — which has deferred Tbilisi’s membership software whereas granting candidacy to Ukraine and Moldova — lists “de-oligarchisation” among the many key calls for Tbilisi should fulfil earlier than it’s placed on a proper membership path.

Kandelaki, the previous MP, stated Ivanishvili “is pushing Georgia into the Russian orbit for his private pursuits” and referred to as for the West to impose sanctions on him.

Opposition politician Elene Koshtaria stated on Fb: “We won’t tolerate that Georgia has turn out to be a rustic the place Putin’s opponents are usually not welcome.”