Foreigner arrested in Georgia: rights and first steps

When a foreigner is arrested in Georgia, the language, an unfamiliar procedure and distance from family make everything harder. The first hours matter most.

Your rights

• A lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
• A free interpreter if you don't speak Georgian — in that case a lawyer is also mandatory
• The right to remain silent — you don't have to give a statement
• Having your country's consulate informed — ask for it
• Having a relative informed of your arrest

What happens after the arrest

You must be charged within 48 hours of the arrest, or released. Within the next 24 hours after the charge, a court decides on a preventive measure — for example, bail or pre-trial detention.

Why the risk is higher for a foreigner

The prosecution often argues that a foreigner may leave the country, so the risk of a detention request is high. The lawyer's job is to show the court your ties to Georgia — home, job, family, business — and to propose a less severe measure.

Mistakes to avoid

• Don't sign any document you don't understand
• Don't give explanations without your lawyer — not even in an "informal chat"
• Don't agree to a plea agreement before reviewing the evidence with your lawyer

Expulsion as a consequence

For a foreigner, a criminal case can have an extra consequence: the court can impose expulsion from Georgia and an entry ban as a penalty. Expulsion can also come up after a sentence has been served. So the defence strategy has to take this risk into account.

If your family is abroad

A family member can contact us by phone or WhatsApp — we sign the engagement remotely and step into the case right away. We keep the family informed in a language they understand.

Criminal defence lawyer