Extradition request or expulsion from Georgia or Armenia

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Do not agree to simplified extradition or a 'voluntary' return to Russia, and sign nothing without a lawyer and an interpreter.
• State at once that the prosecution is political and apply for asylum. Extradition decisions can be appealed at every level.
• If removal is imminent, a lawyer can urgently ask the ECHR for an interim measure (Rule 39) or apply to the UN Human Rights Committee. Georgia ignored such a measure once in 2026, so publicity may be needed too. Discuss it with your lawyer.
• If you are being expelled over an administrative offence, ask to leave for a third country instead: a court allowed this in Kulanin's case. Where to turn: The Ark, First Department, HCA Vanadzor (Armenia), GYLA (Georgia).

current as of September 25. More: ECHR: interim measures; Meduza: Kulanin allowed to leave for a third country (undesirable); NewsGeorgia: extraditions to Russia resume

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Visa-free stays of up to 365 days. Agencies and law firms report that since 2026 insurance for the whole stay is required at entry; check. Leaving to 'reset' your stay can end in an unexplained entry refusal; a residence permit is safer.
• Foreigners joining protests face fines of up to 5,000 lari, up to 60 days' detention and expulsion with an entry ban of up to 3 years. Russian Denis Kulanin was nearly deported to Russia after being pardoned.
• Since 2026 Georgia has again been extraditing people to Russia on 'ordinary' criminal charges. If you are wanted, lawyers advise finding counsel early and gathering evidence the case is political.
• If detained, ask for an interpreter and a lawyer and tell your family. Where to turn: The Ark (Kovcheg), the Transparency International Georgia legal centre.

current as of September 25. More: Amnesty: the case of Denis Kulanin; NewsGeorgia: extraditions to Russia resume; JAMnews: who is barred from entering Georgia

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• You can stay up to 180 days a year without registering; an internal passport works only on a direct flight from Russia. Law firms report that from 1 Nov 2026 longer stays need a paid certificate via permit.am; check.
• The authorities publicly promise not to extradite in political cases. People are detained on Russian warrants. So far everyone we know of who was detained on a Russian warrant has been released, but that is no guarantee.
• The main risk is Russian structures rather than the Armenian state: deserters were taken away via the base and consulate in Gyumri. Rights groups advise keeping away from them and refusing 'meetings about your case'.
• If detained, tell your family, The Ark (Kovcheg) and HCA Vanadzor at once. Quick publicity has helped before, but decide on it together with a lawyer.

current as of September 25. More: The Moscow Times: Armenia pledges no political extraditions (undesirable); Meduza: abductions in Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan (undesirable); Vardanyan & Partners: changes from November 2026