**Georgia Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration**
The Georgian Interior Ministry has announced the detention of six foreign nationals as part of its efforts to combat illegal migration. The Ministry said that employees from the Migration Department carried out checks at specific locations, targeting individuals who are in the country without a valid reason.
According to the Ministry, the six individuals – including citizens of India and Iran – will face expulsion from Georgia. This move comes as the Georgian government tightens its laws on migration and increases rhetoric against illegal immigration.
**Escalating Efforts**
The Interior Ministry has stated that it will regularly conduct special immigration control activities in the future. This decision follows the adoption of a new legislative package by the Georgian parliament, which allows for the expulsion and reentry bans of foreign nationals for administrative and criminal offenses.
This development has raised concerns among some groups, who fear that expulsions may be used to target foreigners participating in protests in the country. Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze’s earlier comments suggested that there were foreign nationals present at ongoing protests in Georgia.
**Concerns Over Targeting Protesters**
The announcement of the new legislation and the detention of six foreign nationals has sparked worries about the potential targeting of protesters who happen to be foreigners. As tensions between government supporters and opposition groups continue to escalate, the situation is becoming increasingly volatile.
Critics have argued that this move may be an attempt to silence dissenting voices by making it easier to expel foreign nationals participating in protests. This concern is all the more relevant given the recent incident where a car drove into protesters in Tbilisi, injuring two people.
**Rhetoric and Reality**
While the Georgian government’s efforts to combat illegal migration are understandable, the manner in which they are being implemented has raised concerns among some groups. The targeting of foreigners participating in protests could be seen as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices rather than genuinely addressing issues related to immigration.
As Georgia continues to navigate its complexities, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the country’s relationships with other nations.
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