Iranian Embassy Confirms Reports of Iranian Deportations from Georgian Entry Points

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tbilisi implicitly confirmed reports regarding the deportation of several Iranian citizens at various entry points in Georgia, stating that it is pursuing the matter through "diplomatic channels." The statement from the embassy, released on Sunday evening, December 2, reflects that it has received "frequent news" about the "unusual deportation of Iranian nationals at various borders of Georgia, especially in recent days." The Fars news agency reported on the same day that Georgia has been expelling Iranian travelers from Tbilisi Airport or its borders for the past month, with the process intensifying last week, leading to a total of 46 deportations by the evening of December 2. The news agency noted that "18 of these individuals arrived at Tbilisi Airport on a Qeshm Air flight on Friday morning" and "had both return tickets and travel insurance," but ultimately Georgian authorities returned them to Iran. The report speculates that the election of Salome Zourabichvili as the new President of Georgia may have played a role in this event, suggesting that her "anti-immigration policies" have exacerbated the situation. Salome Zourabichvili was elected as the President of Georgia last week and is set to begin her presidency in two weeks. Georgia does not require entry visas from Iranian citizens, who can typically stay in the country for up to 45 days without a residence permit. Consequently, Georgia has become a major tourist destination for Iranians in recent years. Fars further reported eyewitness accounts stating that "Georgian police officers randomly selected some individuals in the airport entry line, took their passports, and brought them to interrogation rooms, where after questioning and without reviewing their accompanying documents, they were informed that they could not enter and must return to Iran." The report also highlighted the actions of female Georgian officers conducting body searches of Iranian women travelers "at the highest level," claiming that these searches were conducted "under the pretext of carrying drugs." This comes amidst reports in recent months of drug discoveries among Iranians residing in Georgia or some of them engaging in drug sales. For instance, in September, it was announced that Georgian police arrested three Iranian citizens for "illegal drug sales." On Saturday, December 1, Georgia also announced the arrest of six Iranians accused of possessing and illegally buying and selling drugs. These six individuals were arrested on Friday, and according to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, 1.5 kilograms of heroin were discovered during their arrest. Meanwhile, the Iranian embassy in Tbilisi noted that "based on its inherent duties to protect the dignity of our citizens and the material and spiritual assets of compatriots, it has taken appropriate measures." The Iranian embassy also stated that it had previously requested clarity on laws and regulations and clear accountability for affected individuals through multiple correspondences and negotiations. The embassy ultimately expressed hope that through "constructive interaction and cooperation between the two sides," conditions would progress towards mutual benefits. In mid-October of this year, the Serbian government revoked the visa exemption for Iranians traveling to that country, citing the actions of some Iranians attempting illegal entry into the European Union through Serbia or seeking asylum.