MP: US sanctions against Georgian officials aimed at destabilizing country

The United States’ recent sanctions against Georgian officials are a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country, claims Givi Mikanadze, a member of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party.

“This decision once again shows and exposes targeted attacks that aim not to stabilize the situation in Georgia but to destabilize it to some extent,” he stated speaking to Georgian media, per Caliber.Az.

On December 19, the US imposed financial sanctions on Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and Mirza Kezevadze, Deputy Head of the Interior Ministry’s Special Assignments Department. These sanctions were imposed for their alleged involvement in “violent repression of media representatives, opposition figures, and protesters” during demonstrations in 2024. The UK had earlier imposed similar sanctions on Gomelauri and four other Georgian security officials.

Mikanadze accused the Biden administration of pursuing a destabilization agenda as it nears its end. “The Biden administration has a regime, which I call ‘the last tail wagging,’” he said. “It is trying, before the inauguration of the new president, to aggravate the existing situation where it still has some opportunity.”

The protests referenced in the sanctions began on November 28 after the Georgian government decided to delay discussions on opening negotiations for EU membership until 2028. The US Treasury Department accused Georgian security forces of responding to the demonstrations with excessive violence, including targeting journalists and mistreating detained protesters.

Being included in the Global Magnitsky List, Gomelauri and Kezevadze face frozen US-based assets, a ban on transactions with US citizens or businesses, and travel restrictions to the United States.

The Georgian government has strongly criticized the sanctions, arguing they represent unwarranted interference and are aimed at creating political instability in the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova