Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri says that 50 percent less Russian citizens have crossed into Georgia this year compared with the same period of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking in parliament today, Gomelauri said that Russians mainly cross into Georgia from the third country and then return to Russia via the Dariali checkpoint in mountainous Georgia ‘which is because of imposed sanctions against Russia (for its invasion of Ukraine).”

Providing the figure, Gomelauri has responded to the public's concerns that Russian citizens massively enter Georgia to avoid discomfort created in their country following a number of sanctions.

He stated that mainly ethnic North Caucasians cross into Georgia and then return to Russia.

The opposition has called on the government to restrict visa rules for Russian citizens. 

Currently Georgia has a visa free regime with Russia, while Georgians need a visa to enter Russia, to the country which occupies 20 percent of the Georgian territory.