RSF says independent British journalist Will Neal was arbitrarily denied entry into Georgia

Another Western journalist has been denied entry to Georgia, - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports.

The case concerns British journalist Will Neill, who was denied entry to Georgia on May 20 at the Armenian-Georgian border.

“Independent British journalist Will Neal was arbitrarily denied entry into Georgia, where he has lived since 2022, upon returning from a trip to the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU). Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns this arbitrary decision and calls for its immediate reversal. The expulsion follows a hate campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets in response to Neal’s investigation into Georgian circles of power, as press freedom continues to deteriorate in the country”, the Reporters Without Borders says.

According to the organization, this measure follows after days-long hostile smear campaign against Will Neal earlier in April, initiated by Georgian political leaders and pro-government outlets.

The attacks followed the publication of his investigation for British magazine Byline Times, which reported business ties between UK private equity group Hunnewell Partners and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is sanctioned by the EU. Hunnewell Partners is a close business partner of Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and owns Georgia’s largest television network, the pro-government channel Imedi TV.

“Will Neal’s case marks a new stage in the repression of foreign journalists in Georgia and clearly illustrates the authorities’ rejection of any independent journalistic scrutiny of power structures. Whether they’re smear campaigns led by pro-government media and politicians or administrative obstruction, these intimidation tactics must end. RSF condemns this politically motivated ban and calls for its immediate lifting. British authorities must also hold the Georgian government accountable for this violation of one of the rights of a British citizen”, said Jeanne Cavelier, Head of the RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk.