Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze detained at Turkish airport

Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, one of the leaders of Georgia’s opposition Coalition for Change, was detained at a Turkish airport on Wednesday, according to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), of which his party is a member.

According to ALDE, Japaridze was travelling to Brussels to attend the Renew Europe leaders’ summit.

The political alliance said Japaridze was being held in a room at the airport, while his passport and luggage had been taken away.

According to ALDE, Japaridze is expected to be allowed to return to Georgia on Thursday.