Russian law enforcement agencies have claimed that members of the Batalkhadzhin Sufi community were linked to the Caucasus Emirate*, a militant Islamist organisation. Human rights advocates, however, have questioned the allegations, noting that the group effectively ceased to exist more than a decade ago and that publicly available case materials contain little evidence of specific acts of support for militants.
Eleven Ukrainian citizens held in the basement of the Georgian border checkpoint "Dariali" on the border with Russia have begun an indefinite hunger strike. More than 90 Ukrainian citizens deported from Russia are there with them, many for more than a month. It is reported that among them are people with HIV and tuberculosis.
According to media reports, the detainees are not being provided with food and medical care. Georgian authorities claim that many of them have criminal records for serious crimes and do not have the necessary documents, thereby posing a threat to the country.
The detainees are demanding a meeting with a representative of the Ukrainian consulate, an explanation of the reasons for their detention, the opportunity to leave Georgia or apply for international protection, as well as a medical examination and an end to their illegal detention.