Georgia's President Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned 226 convicts on the occasion of the Marian feast day (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary), NewsGeorgia reported. Six of those pardoned were serving sentences not involving imprisonment, 217 were in prison, and three had their criminal records expunged.
Among those pardoned were nine participants in anti-government protests, including Russian citizen Denis Kulanin. Kulanin was detained on March 28, 2025, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi during a protest against a parliamentary commission investigating crimes committed during the rule of the United National Movement. He was charged with damaging a police vehicle — he broke a car window. Kulanin pleaded guilty, and in June 2025 a court sentenced him to two years in prison. In February 2026, the Russian went on hunger strike, accusing prison administration of pressure.
Immediately after his release, Kulanin was placed in a temporary accommodation center for migrants. Immigration police began deportation proceedings. Kulanin's lawyer and human rights activists from Rights Georgia believe that in his home country the Russian could face criminal prosecution, torture, and inhumane treatment due to his public anti-war stance and support for Ukraine. Rights Georgia leadership called on Georgian authorities not to deport Kulanin to Russia.
The republic's Interior Ministry said Kulanin will not be deported to his home country — he will be able to independently choose a third country and leave Georgia voluntarily. The ministry cites Article 51 of the law on foreigners, which allows departure either to the country of origin or to another country. According to Radio Liberty, Kulanin must make the decision himself within 48 hours. His lawyer cannot visit him because the day of the announcement is an official holiday in Georgia.