- Georgian authorities detained activist Iman Asghari in May 2026 over residence overstay issues following a rejected asylum claim.
- Human rights groups cite the non-refoulement principle to prevent his deportation due to risks of torture or execution in Iran.
- Deportations from Georgia increased to 900 people in the first three months of 2026, signaling tighter migration policies.
Georgian authorities detained Iman Asghari, a 37-year-old Iranian political activist, and could send him from Tbilisi to Iran after an appeals court reviews his deportation case.
The Georgian Migration Department took Asghari into custody in May 2026, citing an overstay of his lawful period of residence. The Tbilisi City Court upheld the removal decision in June.
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His lawyer, Tunar Lezgyev, said Asghari is in a “severe psychological state” and fears being removed at any moment.
Asghari has lived in Georgia for nearly eight years. His family says a return could expose him to imprisonment, torture, or execution because of his documented anti-government activities.
The legal team is awaiting a final ruling from the Court of Appeals. The decision could be issued at any moment, and the case remains under Georgian jurisdiction.
Human rights organizations and supporters of a petition dated August 14, 2026, have urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Union to intervene. They cite non-refoulement, the principle against sending a person to a country where the person faces a high risk of persecution.
Georgia’s enforcement figures have risen as the case advances
Asghari’s current detention followed the rejection of an earlier asylum application. He applied for protection in Georgia in 2019, but officials rejected the claim in 2024.
The City Court later upheld the removal decision. The pending appeal now concerns whether that decision remains in force after the overstay finding.
Official Georgian migration statistics show the scale of enforcement during the relevant periods:
| Period | Recorded deportations |
|---|---|
| First three months of 2026 | More than 900 people |
| All of 2025 | 1,300 people |
More than 900 people were removed during the first three months of 2026, compared with 1,300 across the whole of 2025. Activists describe the figures as evidence of a wider tightening of migration policy.
Passport restrictions may leave Iran as the only available destination
Asghari tried to renew his passport through Iran’s embassy in the city so he could relocate to a third country. His family alleges that embassy officials refused consular services after saying he had been “identified” during anti-government protests.
The passport problem has narrowed his options. Without a valid passport, he cannot legally leave Georgia for another country, according to the account provided by his family.
Other Iranian dissidents in the city have reported similar treatment. They say the embassy refused basic administrative services, which they viewed as a means of political pressure.
Activists have placed the case within what they call a “broader pattern.” They argue that closer ties between Georgia’s government and Tehran have contributed to pressure on Iranian dissidents.
The allegation concerns political targeting, while the Georgian case itself began with the residence overstay. Those issues now converge in the pending judicial process.
International appeals are focused on the risk of return
The petition and human rights appeals ask UNHCR and the European Union to act before Georgian authorities can carry out the removal. Supporters seek to stop the transfer and move Asghari to a safe third country.
The appeals rely on non-refoulement. That rule is central to the groups’ argument that a residence violation should not result in return to a place where persecution is alleged.
The United States has not issued a statement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the Department of Homeland Security specifically about Asghari. His case is handled by Georgian authorities, not those U.S. agencies.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson addressed Georgia’s broader political climate on July 28, 2026, amid what the research describes as a crackdown on opposition figures and activists.
“sees free speech as foundational and opposes censorship laws used to silence critics.”
The statement concerned free speech and censorship laws in Georgia. It did not specifically address Asghari’s detention or appeal.
His family continues to warn that Iranian authorities could punish him for anti-government activity carried out in Georgia. The Court of Appeals remains the next decision point in the case.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
