In Russia, journalist-refugee from Georgia goes on hunger strike demanding to return home

On April 29, the Georgian journalist Levan Gudadze, who had first fled to South Ossetia and then to Russia, went on hunger strike at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow with a demand to send him back to Georgia. He explains his action by absence of safety guarantees for him and his family.

Speaking about his life in Russia, the journalist complained of Russian bureaucracy. According to Gudadze, although he and his family received the refugee status, his attempts to get job are hampered by bureaucratic hurdles. As a result, he cannot maintain his family and lives on the help of relatives and friends.

Mr Gudadze said that Russian special services had tried to use him "in the direction of mass media" and in actions against Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. Besides, he noted that "in Russia, many people are extremely negative towards Caucasians.

"In case of my return to Georgia, I might be criminally prosecuted; however, for the sake of safety and security of my family members I'd prefer that they were in Georgia than in Russia," the "Kavkaz-Online" quotes Gudadze as saying.
Soon after Gudadze's escape the Georgian MIA said they would not interfere with his desire to live in South Ossetia. "But he would not be able to get back," the "Lenta.ru" quotes the MIA's spokesman Shota Utiashvili.

The journalist left Georgia on September 3, 2009, along with his mother, wife and a two-year-old daughter.