Georgian Interior Ministry: 17 people remain in Dariali neutral zone without valid travel documents

Seventeen individuals currently remain in the so-called neutral zone at the Dariali border crossing point, and none of them are women or children, according to a statement released by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Ministry said that the individuals claim to be Ukrainian citizens but do not possess valid documents required for crossing the border and therefore do not meet the criteria for entry into Georgia.

Furthermore, citing state security interests, the Ministry noted that the individuals have not been granted permission to enter the country due to their criminal backgrounds, including convictions for serious and particularly serious crimes.

The Interior Ministry rejected what it described as unfounded allegations directed at the agency regarding the situation in the neutral zone near the Dariali border checkpoint.

According to the statement, a significant number of Ukrainian citizens who had previously been staying near the Dariali crossing and expressed a willingness to return voluntarily to their homeland have already left Georgia via a third country. Their departure was facilitated through lengthy and multilateral negotiations between the Georgian authorities and the Ukrainian side.

The Ministry stated that intensive negotiations are ongoing with Ukrainian authorities and international organizations to arrange the organized, safe, and voluntary return of the remaining 17 individuals to Ukraine.

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs also reaffirmed its readiness to undertake all measures within its competence and to assist the Ukrainian side in the process of returning the individuals currently located at the Georgian state border.

In addition, the Ministry emphasised that, in coordination with the relevant embassy and representatives of international organizations, it continues to provide the individuals in the neutral zone with essential humanitarian assistance and basic necessities.