Ukrainians stuck at the Georgian border because of problems with documents: hunger strike declared

More than ten Ukrainian citizens deported from Russia and stranded at the Daryali border checkpoint between Georgia and Russia have gone on an indefinite hunger strike. According to Radio Liberty, 11 people are participating in the action, while the Tbilisi Life Telegram channel reports about 15 participants.

Among the participants of the hunger strike is Sergei Larko, who was deported from Russia on 21 June. In an appeal to the Georgian authorities, he said that his passport was confiscated and he was placed in the basement of the Dariali checkpoint along with 97 other people, including TB and HIV patients. According to Larco, he was denied the opportunity to leave Georgia, receive legal assistance, apply for asylum and appeal the detention.

Meanwhile, the Georgian Interior Ministry said that the protesters had no specific demands to the Georgian side. According to the ministry's representatives, the Ukrainians seek to return home with the help of the Red Cross and the support of the Ukrainian embassy.

Dozens of Ukrainian citizens previously convicted in the occupied territories of Ukraine and deported from Russia continue to stay at the Daryali checkpoint. Many of them have been deprived of their documents, and the process of establishing their identity in Ukraine drags on for weeks. All this time, people are forced to live at the border crossing point in extremely difficult conditions. On the night of 21 July, one of them slit his throat in protest against what is happening.