Georgia to deport Russian activist Kulanian to third country
Denis Kulanian, a Russian activist, was pardoned by Georgian President Mikhail Kavelashvili and will be deported to a third country after serving a two-year sentence for damaging a police car during a protest in Tbilisi in March 2025. He was placed in a migration center following his release and has 48 hours to choose the destination country.
Consensus
- Denis Kulanian is a Russian national who was sentenced to two years in prison for damaging a police car during a protest in Tblisi on March 28, 2025.
- Kulanian was pardoned by Georgian President Mikhail Kavelashviili on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Mariamoba).
- The pardon applied to 226 individuals, including Kulanian.
- After being pardoned, Kulanian was placed in a temporary accommodation center managed by the Department of Migration.
- Kulanian has 48 hours to decide on a third country for deportation.
- The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that Kulanian may choose a third country for departure, not Russia.
- Kulanian admitted guilt and was sentenced in June 2025.
- Kulanian went on hunger strike in February 2026, citing pressure from prison authorities.
- Legal representatives and human rights organizations have expressed concern that Kulanian could face persecution, torture, or inhumane treatment if returned to Russia due to his public anti-war stance and support for Ukraine.
Points of divergence
- The Tbilisi City Court decided that Kulanian will be deported to a third country, and the specific country is not disclosed for security reasons. — vesti
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia stated that Kulanian will not be deported to Russia and can choose a third country voluntarily. — novaya_eu
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs cited Article 51 of the Foreigners Act, allowing Kulanian to leave Georgia either to his country of origin or another country. — tg_echoonline_news
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Kulanian can choose a third country and has 48 hours to make the decision. — tvrain
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Kulanian may choose a third country and has 48 hours for the decision. — tg_tvrain
- Rights Georgia warned that Kulanian may be deported to Russia, which could endanger him. — novaya_eu
- Kulanian was detained on Rustaveli Avenue during a protest against a parliamentary commission investigating crimes from the era of the 'United National Movement'. — tg_echoonline_news
- Kulanian was held in a migration prison and his lawyer cannot visit him due to an official holiday. — tvrain
Coverage (6 sources)
- Georgia will expel pardoned Russian Kulanin to a third country — Вести
- Georgian authorities granted amnesty to a Russian man sentenced for damaging a police car during protests in Tbilisi — Новая газета Европа
- President of Georgia pardoned 226 people, including nine participants in anti-government protests. One of them is a Russian... — ЭХО / Новости
- Where will the activist from Georgia be deported — Дождь
- President of Georgia pardons 226 people, among them a participant in mass protests from Russia. He faces deportation — Дождь (Telegram)
- President of Georgia pardoned 226 people — Интерфакс
Key entities
- Georgia
- Denis Kulanin
- Mikhail Kavelashvili
- Tbilisi
- Russia
- Moscow
- Rustaveli
- Paper Kartuli
- News Georgia
- INTERFAX.RU
- Tbilisi City Court
- Migration Department
- Mariamoba
- Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos
More on Denis Kulanin
- Pardoned Russian Denis Kulanian arrives in Armenia
- Georgia Allows Pardoned Russian Activist to Leave for Third Country