On February 2, pro-Kremlin online edition News Front Georgia released an article headlined “Liberals are ideologically plotting a new anti-Russian provocation in Adjara.” The article reads that Georgian media outlets speak of and protest against Russian investments, while the threat is coming from Turkey.
News Front Georgia reiterates its earlier disinformation, as if under his tenure, Georgia’s ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili allegedly granted Georgian citizenship to 20,000 Turks, thus promoting increased Turkish influence in Adjara.
Information as if under the previous government, 20,000 Turkish citizens were granted Georgian citizenship is the manipulation of statistics, because according to the official data of the Georgian Justice Ministry, a total of 3,050 Turkish citizens, and not 20,000, were granted Georgian citizenship in a period between 2004 and April 11, 2018.
Manipulation of statistics, as if 20,000 Turks were granted Georgian citizenship under the previous government, has been underway for years. According to the official data of the Justice Ministry’s Public Service Development Agency, a total of 3,050 Turkish citizens were granted Georgian citizenship in a period between 2004 and April 11, 2018.
Under the National Movement’s rule (2004-2013), only 2,886 Turkish citizens were granted Georgian citizenship.
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |
| Granting Georgian citizenship by way of exception | 1 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 40 | 22 | 2 796 |
Under the Georgian Dream’s rule (2014-2018), Georgian citizenship was granted only to 164 Turkish citizens.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| Granting Georgian citizenship by way of exception | 21 | 40 | 73 | 26 | 4 |
Sources of disinformation
At different times, various sources, including the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia, have manipulated statistics.
| Giorgi Lomia, Alliance of Patriots: “If Saakashvili had stayed in power for six more years, Adjara would not have been part of Georgia today. That’s absolutely the case. What is happening in Adjara today just confirms that Saakashvili had this plan. 25 000 Turks have acquired Georgian citizenship and live in Adjara. If 10 000 – 15 000 are added tomorrow, they will actually set up a Turkish party as it happened in Bulgaria and then they will be able to hold a plebiscite on separation from Georgia.” | Davit Akubardia, host: “23 000 Turks have Georgian passports. If they participate in local elections this autumn, they will win the first place in Batumi.” | Simon Kiladze, analyst, accused of spying in favor of Russia: “40,000 Ahiska Turks (Meskhetian Turks) have acquired Turkish citizenship. In November, they will mark the 75th anniversary of deportation from Georgia.” |
| Obieqtivi, Gamis Studia, March 21, 2018 | Kavkasia, Spektri, March 15, 2017 | Simon Kiladze, September 17, 2019 |
For detailed information, please, read Myth Detector’s article: Disinformation about Georgian Citizenship Allegedly Granted to 25 000 Turkish Citizens
