Opposition politician Gotsiridze on expulsion of Azerbaijani journalist: ‘Inhumane’ and ‘immoral’ step

Georgian opposition politician Roman Gotsiridze on Sunday said the expulsion of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov was an “inhumane and immoral step”.

In a social media post, Gotsiridze said the move went against a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which had prohibited Sadigov’s extradition to Azerbaijan.

He accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of failing to resist pressure from a neighbouring “authoritarian” state, adding that such actions damage Georgia’s international reputation and weaken the country.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has said Sadigov was fined ₾2,000 (about $745), expelled from Georgia and banned from re-entering the country for three years.