Georgia’s former PM and current head of the For Georgia opposition party on Monday called for the imposition of visa requirements for Russian citizens as local watchdogs and the opposition had warned of the “uncontrolled influx” of Russian and Belarus citizens on the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, pointing at security threats amid Russia’s continuous occupation of Georgian regions. 

In comments on the reports of Transparency International Georgia that 240,000 Russian citizens have visited Georgia over the past seven months, Gakharia, who served the country’s PM under the Georgian Dream authorities, said that he disapproved of the Government's rejection of tougher visa regulations.  

“In face of existing challenges, the introduction of visa requirements for Russian citizens should be reconsidered. We should welcome visitors. However, the arrivals should know their place. If the question is not regulated, along with security threats, Georgians will face new economic challenges. It is the duty of the Government to protect the interests of its citizens first”, Gakharia said. 

The Georgian Dream Government claimed that calls for the imposition of visa regime for Russians was “ xenophobia” and the move would “damage the domestic tourism”. 

Since 2012 Russians have been allowed to travel visa free to Georgia, while Georgians need a visa to visit Russia since 2000. 

Gakharia left the premiership back in 2021 due to controversies with the ruling party. 

He has been called a “traitor” and an “ally of the radical opposition” by the ruling party top officials in the wake of his move to quit.