Hungarian journalist László Mézes detained in Georgia and set to leave voluntarily

Hungarian journalist and activist László Róbert Mézes was taken into custody by Georgia’s Migration Department in Tbilisi after authorities said he had overstayed his visa. The detention was carried out under the immigration law that permits the arrest and possible expulsion of foreign nationals who lack legal residence. Mézes, known for reporting on anti‑government protests and for criticizing the ruling Georgian Dream party, announced that he would leave the country voluntarily and would not appear before a court.

His lawyer, Marika Arevadze, confirmed that communication with the Interior Ministry had resulted in Mézes’ decision to depart without a judicial hearing. The case follows previous incidents in which Mézes was assaulted during a 2025 protest in Tbilisi and has been a vocal critic of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies. Georgian officials maintain that his presence was illegal, while Mézes’ representatives stress that he will return to Hungary on his own terms.