Bagratashen customs officials blacklist traders, barring entry to Georgia

Entrepreneurs from Ayrum, Noyemberyan and other settlements in the Noyemberyan community protested at the Bagratashen checkpoint, demanding that their rights be respected. According to them, they import goods from Georgia and have the legal right to import up to 10 kilograms of products daily without paying customs duties, but customs officials are preventing them from doing so. The protesters claim that customs officials have compiled a “blacklist” of 114 people who are banned from entering Georgia.

Additionally, they accuse customs officials of favoring certain large vendors from Bagratashen and Ptghavan, allowing them to transport alcohol, tobacco products, auto parts, and oils without restrictions. Traders are ready to provide evidence, including photographs of the cars of favored importers.

The situation remains tense and protesters are demanding fair regulation of trade at the border.