**Belarusian Activist Blocked from Re-Entering Georgia**
In a move that has sparked concern among human rights groups, Belarusian activist Dmitry Grinkevich was denied entry to Georgia on May 8. According to reports from the Belarusian outlet Pozirk, Grinkevich was attempting to re-enter the country after traveling to Armenia.
**Background and Context**
Grinkevich is a well-known figure in the Belarusian diaspora community in Georgia’s western region of Adjara. In 2023, he and opposition journalist Andrei Mialeshka interviewed human rights defender Raman Kislyak during a protest outside a police station in Batumi. Unfortunately, Kislyak himself was denied entry to Georgia in September 2024 after fleeing Belarus for political reasons.
**New Developments**
Speaking to Pozirk, Grinkevich recounted his experience trying to re-enter the country from Armenia on May 8. He claimed that Georgian border guards mistreated him as he was leaving the country and then held him for about an hour and a half before issuing a document barring his re-entry into Georgia.
**Broader Pattern of Entry Denials**
This case is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader pattern of reported entry denials by Georgian authorities targeting activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and political figures. Critics have characterized these decisions as politically motivated, with some calling for greater scrutiny and transparency in the decision-making process.
**Proposed Legislation**
In response to growing criticism, amendments have been proposed at the Georgian parliament to introduce harsher penalties specifically for foreign nationals, including expulsion from Georgia and a ban on entry. The draft legislation also expands grounds for expulsion, mandates biometric data collection for undocumented migrants, and imposes stricter penalties for offenses committed by foreign nationals.
**What’s Next?**
As this case unfolds, it will be essential for Georgian authorities to provide clear explanations for these decisions and ensure that human rights defenders and journalists are treated fairly. The international community is watching closely, and the proposed legislation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on freedom of movement and expression in Georgia.
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