Kists Are Not Allowed to Cross Georgian-Turkish Border

Georgian custom officers do not allow ethnic Kists living in Pankisi Gorge, who wish to travel to Turkey to work, to cross the border by Georgian side. Kists reported to ICK that they have problems of crossing the Georgian-Turkish border particularly after the special operation in Lopota Valley.

“Many Kists from Pankisi Valley have gone to Turkey for work. We return to the valley once in two or three months and then we go back to Turkey. We physically work there and get salaries. There is no job here. We always had problems even before special operation in Lopota Valley; the custom officers checked us longer than other passengers; they made us stop several hours but finally we used to cross the border. But they have not allowed anybody to cross the border after the special operation; everybody was sent back. They say we are going to Syria to fight and if somebody detects Georgian citizens there, the country will face serious problems,” Kists told ICK.

MIA did not comment on the fact. Kists from Pankisi Valley appealed to the human rights organizations for help.

According to the MIA, on August 28, 11 saboteurs were killed during anti-terrorist operation in Lopota Valley. Two of them, Aslan Margoshvili, 22, and Bahaudin Kavtarashvili, 26, were citizens of Georgia and lived in Pankisi Valley. Bahaudin Bagakashvili, 26, also had relatives in Pankisi Alley; all three people were buried in Duisi Cemetery.

ICK