Georgia: Pardoned Russian Protester Must Not Be Deported to Russia

Russian national Denis Kulanin remains held in Georgia despite receiving a presidential pardon, triggering urgent warnings from human rights organizations over the imminent threat of forcible deportation to Russia.

Administrative Detention Follows Presidential Clemency

Kulanin was originally scheduled for release on 1 September to travel voluntarily to Armenia. His legal counsel submitted a flight ticket, passport, and boarding pass to both the court and the Temporary Accommodation Centre where he is confined.

That planned departure followed an August 28 presidential pardon. The clemency covered nine individuals connected to protest-related convictions.

Protest Conviction Stemming From Tbilisi Demonstration

Prior to his pardon, Kulanin had been serving a two-year prison sentence issued on June 4, 2025.

That sentence stemmed from an incident during a demonstration in Tbilisi on March 28, 2025. During the protest, he was convicted of damaging a police vehicle.

Procedural Shift Blocks Voluntary Exit

Following the presidential clemency order, the Tbilisi City Court redirected Kulanin to the Temporary Accommodation Centre operated by the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

He has remained there pending an upcoming court hearing concerning his potential deportation from Georgia. This procedural shift effectively blocked his voluntary exit to Armenia.

Political Stance Exposes Kulanin to Severe Russian Penalties

Amnesty International has cautioned that Kulanin’s political record exposes him to severe hazards if he is returned to his home country. According to the human rights group, Kulanin has publicly criticized Russia’s military action in Ukraine and voiced support for Aleksei Navalny.

Under current Russian law and political conditions, both actions are categorized as criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment.

Amnesty International Cites Binding Non-Refoulement Obligations

“Georgia is bound by the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the transfer of any person to a country where they would face a genuine risk of serious human rights violations,” Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, stated.

Krivosheev emphasized that Georgian authorities are legally bound to prevent his return and must guarantee Kulanin the opportunity to seek international protection and depart freely for a secure third destination.

The Tbilisi City Court has not yet scheduled the deportation hearing that will determine whether Kulanin is released to travel or handed over to Russian authorities.