Bratislava, Slovakia – In a surprising turn of events, Mamuka mamulašvili, commander of the Georgian Legion and previously labeled a security threat by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, was observed at the Slovak Government Office on Friday, january 31, 2025. This visit occurred approximately six months after Fico publicly announced a planned coup allegedly involving Mamulašvili and the Georgian Legion, and afterward issued a ban on his entry into Slovakia.

Prime Minister Fico’s initial announcement on January 31st implicated ten individuals, including Mamulašvili, in the alleged coup plot. Pavol Gašpar, son of Tibor Gašpar, the Director of the Slovak Information Service (SIS), described the situation as “serious” at the time. The ban on entry was intended to prevent Mamulašvili from entering Slovak territory.

Though, Mamulašvili documented his visit with a video posted on Facebook, accessible here. In the video, he challenges the claims made by Fico and his governance, suggesting thay where based on misinformation.The video was produced in collaboration with tomas Forró, a writer and author of publications detailing the war in Ukraine.

Crucially,Mamulašvili presented a response from the Office of International Police Cooperation within the Slovak Police Presidium,dated July 14th. This official document confirms that the Slovak Republic has no record of Mamuka Mamulašvili (identified as USHangi mamulašvili in the document) being registered in the Schengen Information System. This raises questions about the basis for the initial entry ban and the claims of a security threat.

The implications of this progress are significant, possibly undermining the credibility of the Fico government’s earlier statements. further inquiry is needed to determine the full circumstances surrounding Mamulašvili’s visit and the discrepancies in the official record.

Background: Georgia’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict and Slovak Politics

The Georgian Legion is a volunteer unit comprised primarily of Georgian citizens fighting alongside Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Established in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the Legion has gained prominence for its involvement in key battles in eastern Ukraine. Mamuka Mamulašvili, a veteran of previous conflicts, has been a leading figure within the Legion.

slovakia, under Prime Minister Robert Fico, has adopted a more neutral stance towards the Ukraine conflict, often diverging from the policies of other European Union member states. Fico’s government has been critical of increased military aid to Ukraine and has emphasized the need for a negotiated settlement with Russia. This position has led to tensions with allies and accusations of pro-Russian sentiment.

The Slovak Information Service (SIS) has a history of controversy,with past allegations of political interference and involvement in questionable activities. Tibor Gašpar, the current director, is a long-time associate of Robert Fico, raising concerns about the independence of the agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Mamuka Mamulašvili? He is the commander of the Georgian Legion, a volunteer unit fighting in Ukraine.
• Why was Mamulašvili banned from Slovakia? prime Minister Fico claimed he was involved in a planned coup.
• What does the document from the Slovak Police Presidium show? It confirms that ther is no record of Mamulašvili being registered in the Schengen Information System.
• What is the Georgian Legion? A volunteer military unit composed of Georgian citizens fighting alongside Ukraine.