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Ukrainian Citizens Launch Hunger Strike at Georgia Border Over Detention Conditions
Five Ukrainian citizens stuck at the Russia-Georgia border have started an indefinite hunger strike in protest against the actions of Georgian border guards. The announcement was made by Sergei Larko, one of the individuals involved, in an interview with Echo of the Caucasus.
Larko has been at the Darial border checkpoint for nearly a month. He said the group plans to officially notify Georgian authorities about the start of the hunger strike. He also shared a written statement outlining the reasons for the protest.
"I, Sergei Alexisovich Larko, declare an indefinite hunger strike due to the illegal actions of Georgian border guards and the violation of my rights," the statement reads. "I have been placed in inhumane conditions at the Darial border checkpoint along with 97 other people, including those infected with HIV and tuberculosis. I was denied entry into Georgia, the opportunity to apply for asylum, access to legal assistance, and the ability to appeal my detention."
Larko said he was deported from Russia on June 21, 2025. After arriving in Georgia, his passport was confiscated and his biometric data was taken without legal basis, he claimed.
The hunger strikers are demanding access to a Ukrainian consul, a formal explanation of their detention, the option to leave Georgia or apply for asylum, medical examinations, and an end to what they describe as unlawful detention. They say the protest will continue until these demands are met.
According to available reports, Russian authorities have been transferring prisoners who were originally convicted in Ukrainian territories now under Russian occupation. Many of them served time in Russian prisons and are now being directed toward the Russia-Georgia border, where they remain without legal status.
CEC Confirms Political Parties Applying for Upcoming Local Elections
Several political parties have officially submitted their applications to participate in Georgia's upcoming local self-government elections, according to Natia Ioseliani, spokesperson for the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Ioseliani confirmed that three political parties already represented in Parliament or registered during the last parliamentary elections have applied. These include For Georgia, Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia, and Strong Georgia - Lelo, For the People, Freedom Square.
"As you know, for political parties to participate in elections, their leaders must submit an application to the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission," Ioseliani said during a press briefing. "Three political parties have already taken advantage of this opportunity."
In addition, two political parties not currently in Parliament and not registered in the last parliamentary election cycle have also submitted applications. These are Conservatives for Georgia and Homeland, Language, and Faith.
"Political parties that were not registered in the parliamentary elections and do not have representatives in the Georgian Parliament had the opportunity to apply to the CEC Chairperson from January 1 to July 14," Ioseliani explained. "At this time, two such political parties have applied to the Central Election Commission."
