At Tbilisi Airport, Czech-British freelance journalist Ray Baseley was reportedly detained while traveling to cover the parliamentary elections.
This was reported by "Echo of the Caucasus," as noted by "European Truth."
On October 22, Baseley shared a photo from the airplane on his X (Twitter) account, mentioning that he was heading to Tbilisi and that "Georgia's history and the region will be decided this Saturday." Shortly after, he stated that he was denied entry upon arrival.
Hello Georgians, Journalists and Czechs. Today at 19:30 I was refused entry into the country of Georgia without reasoning or any further explanation this is unacceptable even the local border force doesn’t know why I wasn’t allowed entry. Anyone who can help please write to me. pic.twitter.com/4HGh3xY9ma– RayBaseley 🇺🇦🇬🇪 (@RayBaseley) October 22, 2024
"Today at 19:30 I was denied entry into Georgia without any justification or explanation. This is unacceptable; even the local border guards do not know why I was not allowed in," he wrote.
After that, Baseley did not provide any further updates. A while later, his girlfriend, Ukrainian Maria Kaplina, posted on her Instagram that all his personal belongings had been confiscated (which he managed to inform her about before they took his phone), and since then, there has been no communication with him. She added that she contacted the Czech embassy in Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as local activists and lawyers. During the night, she posted an update that Baseley had been out of contact for eight hours.
Baseley has been actively involved in Georgian issues and has covered events during the protests against the controversial "foreign agents" law.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has not yet commented on the situation.
It is worth noting that the parliamentary elections in Georgia are set to take place on October 26 and are considered crucial for the country's future direction.
Just a few days before the vote, the honorary chairman of the ruling party and its leading candidate Bidzina Ivanishvili reiterated the promise to ban the main opposition forces if they achieve a constitutional majority in the new parliament.
Read also: Tbilisi between two fires: what could determine the winner of the elections in Georgia.