TBILISI. May 23 (Interfax) - Georgia's ex-Defense Minister Irakly Okruashvili will have to apply to a special bureau if he wants to come to Georgia and preserve the status of political refugee granted to him in France, the French Embassy in Tbilisi has said.
A special bureau deals with the issuance of various statuses to foreign nationals. "Okruashvili's status depends on what decision this bureau will make. He must go there," the French Embassy said.
Okruashvili, who is a leader of the opposition Georgian Party, plans to travel to Tbilisi on May 25 to join opposition rallies. But he told the Maestro television station by telephone that he could lose his status of political refugee if he does.
"I am closing the door to my retreat. But I am doing this knowingly. It is a sign for the people who are neutral to the situation. I urge these people to gather on May 25 and return a worthy future to the country," Okruahsvili said.