Georgia’s fifth President condemns ‘secret deportation’ of activist Temur Katamadze

Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, has criticised the government's handling of activist Temur Katamadze, who was deported to Turkey under controversial circumstances.

Katamadze, a civic activist known for his criticism of the authorities, was initially detained in the Black Sea city of Batumi earlier this year under administrative charges. Following his release, he was rearrested and accused of residing in the country illegally. He was then swiftly deported — allegedly overnight and without legal counsel or notification to his defenders.

Zourabichvili condemned the move in a statement posted on social media, writing “a country that kidnaps its own citizen, ignoring all legal procedures (extradition), which deports Temur Katamadze at night secretly and without warning his defenders… This country has completely abandoned the constitutional and state frameworks and moved to another category. What to call it, this issue is open!”

According to Katamadze’s wife, the activist was transferred to Turkey without due process.