British citizen and military veteran Matthew Roy Desmond has been held in Georgia for nearly three months on drug charges after being arrested at a land border crossing with painkillers that are restricted under Georgian law, his lawyers said on July 8. He faces a possible sentence of eight to twelve years.
Border arrest and prescription dispute
Desmond, 49, attempted to enter Georgia from Turkey by motorcycle in late April, according to his legal team and reporting by RFE/RL's Georgian service. His lawyers said he was carrying medications prescribed for a chronic spinal injury — pregabalin, buprenorphine, and codeine — but that the prescription was not notarized and lacked an apostille, as required under Georgian regulations.
The lawyers said Desmond had traveled to around 25 countries without similar issues. They obtained the required apostille certification and official translations within weeks and submitted the documents to prosecutors and the court by the end of May. He remains in custody at Tbilisi's Gldani Prison.
Health concerns and separate case
One lawyer told RFE/RL that Desmond's prescriptions relate to a severe spinal injury sustained during military service and that his condition has worsened in detention. The lawyer said prison staff provide painkillers periodically, relieving only a fraction of his pain, and that Desmond can barely walk during visits.
Prosecutors also opened a separate case over alleged use of narcotic substances in Georgia after traces of the medications were reportedly found in his urine. The defense successfully challenged that case in June after prosecutors failed to show he had consumed the substances while in Georgia, given that he was detained immediately upon arrival.
Plea talks and wider context
Desmond's lawyers are seeking his release through a plea agreement, a route used in similar cases. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 13.
The case follows other detentions of foreign travelers over prescription medications that are legal abroad but restricted in Georgia. In June, Canadian student Simon Rovensky was detained after entering with a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, without carrying his prescription. He was reportedly released weeks later following a plea agreement and a GEL 30,000 fine (approximately USD 11,400).
