Georgia arrests 31 foreign nationals in immigration enforcement operation

Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday said 31 foreign nationals had been detained in a targeted immigration enforcement operation carried out in Tbilisi and Batumi.

The Ministry said the operation was conducted by the Migration Department as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration. Those detained include citizens of Turkey, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Jordan.

Officials said the checks were based on pre-obtained information and focused on specific locations, with the aim of identifying foreign nationals residing in the country without legal grounds.

The Ministry noted that in Batumi, 13 of the detained individuals were wanted for serious crimes, including murder, rape of a minor and drug-related offences. These individuals were subject to Interpol red notices and were also being sought nationally by law enforcement authorities in Turkey.

The detained suspects were escorted to the Sarpi border crossing point, where they were handed over to Turkish law enforcement officials for further legal proceedings.

Other individuals detained during the operation have been transferred to the Migration Department’s temporary accommodation centre, where deportation procedures are currently under way.