Expert Witness Reports: A Georgia/CIS Resource for Legal Firms Seeking to Strengthen Asylum Claims, Covering Political Repression, Social Group Membership, and Well-Founded Fear of Persecution

• At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the overall situation in their country of origin.
• At the appeal stage: If the application is denied, the report can be utilized for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors and providing additional evidence.

• Contextual Analysis: Confirms the broader picture of the situation in the country, including political instability, repression, and conflict, with references to international and local sources.
• Assessment of Individual Risks: Demonstrates the connection between the applicant's personal risks and the conditions in their home country.
• Strengthening the Evidentiary Base: Confirms that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group subject to persecution.
• Support for Authoritative Sources: Cites reputable organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others, in accordance with the OSCOLA citation standard.

• Over 100 successful expert witness reports prepared for asylum seekers from post-Soviet countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—both at the appeal stage and at the initial application stage.
• Collaboration with leading law firms in the USA and UK, providing reports that have served as key evidence in successful asylum decisions.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category of "Best Immigration Expert."
• Extensive knowledge of legislation and politics in post-Soviet countries allows us to objectively assess risks related to political persecution and human rights violations.
• Recognized as reliable experts in human rights and political repression; listed in the Expert Witness Database for immigration and legal proceedings (EIN): https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov.

• Political Instability: Pressure on the opposition, fabrication of criminal cases, and attempts to restrict political activity.
• Freedom of Speech: Threats and harassment of journalists, pressure on independent media and activists.
• Corruption: The judicial system and state bodies are influenced by the political elite.
• LGBT Discrimination: Members of the LGBT community face violence, threats, and a lack of protection from law enforcement agencies.
• Domestic Violence: Victims of violence face insufficient support and limited opportunities for protection.
• Restriction of Civil Liberties: Pressure on protesters and activists, including threats of arrests.
• Interethnic Conflicts: Problems with the rights of ethnic minorities, especially in regions where tension remains.
• Religious Freedom Issues: Restrictions for members of religious minorities and persecution based on religious beliefs.

• Description of the current political climate in Georgia, including repression against the opposition.
• How do the authorities treat civil activists and independent media?
• What threats exist for members of the LGBT community?
• What is the situation with access to fair justice in the context of corruption?
• Internal relocation options: how realistic and safe are they for applicants?
• What risks do representatives of ethnic and religious minorities face?
• What threats do participants in protests and opposition activists face?

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our future collaboration!