Russian comedian Garik Oganisyan found himself unable to cross into Georgia, where he had planned to perform a series of concerts. He announced the development through his official Twitter account, signaling a sudden turn in the touring schedule.
Georgian border authorities were told by Oganisyan that he held a six‑month apartment lease in Georgia and had anticipated a smooth arrival for the performances. He joked that mentioning a friendly connection to the band Mgzavrebi might have opened doors, and he quipped that Khvichi’s recent match against Liverpool could have been a conversational hook as well.
Meanwhile,Ksenia Sobchak, a former journalist, described what she observed at Tbilisi International Airport. She claimed that travelers with Russian passports faced selective scrutiny. According to her account, Russians arriving in Georgia were taken aside and directed to a dedicated room where a trio of highly capable officials conducted interviews. These officials, she noted, did not appear to be Georgian; they spoke fluent English and seemed adept at gathering thorough background information. The questions reportedly covered where the traveler originated in Russia, their intended destination in Georgia, their housing arrangements in both countries, their workplace details, and their income level, with a level of scrutiny Sobchak described as unusually meticulous. This portrayal raised questions about the balance between security checks and open access for visitors. Observers will be watching closely to see how these procedures align with Georgia’s guest‑welcome stance and the broader regional travel climate (as reported by Sobchak).”