On September 6, 2025, Azerbaijani student Javid Ahmedov, who lives and studies in Tbilisi, was denied entry into Georgia. The 26-year-old Ahmedov told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that authorities initially cited fines under “grounds for road closure” in his name, totaling 10,000 GEL (two fines), as the reason for the refusal. He was then informed that even if he paid this amount, he would still not be allowed into the country. Ultimately, the document he received at the border justifying the denial listed the reason as “other reasons.”

Ahmedov links the incident to his professional activities. He said he had been on Rustaveli Avenue several times, not as an activist, but as a journalist, carrying a camera. He first learned about the fines on August 24, when leaving Georgia, but was told he could pay them upon return and that they would not prevent him from leaving the country. Upon returning, he discovered he had not one but two fines and was unable to enter Georgia. He was sent back to Turkey.

Ahmedov has been living in Georgia since September 2024 and is studying journalism at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). On September 8, he was scheduled to fly from Kutaisi to Germany, where he is going to study on a scholarship.