Prague imposes sanctions on Georgian officials, bars entry to Russian diplomats

The Czech Republic has imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Georgian officials, including Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Alexander Darakhvelidze, Prosecutor Lasha Kotrikadze, and three judges.

The announcement was made by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs via X (formerly Twitter), citing their responsibility for “violent repression during last year’s and this year’s protests.”

The three judges added to the sanctions list are Koba Chagunava, Nino Galustashvili, and Mikhail Djindzholia.

This move follows previous measures targeting former Director of the Special Operations Department Zviad Kharazishvili, his former deputy Mirza Kezevadze, and Vazhi Siradze, Director of the Tbilisi Police Department.

Being included in the sanctions list carries strict consequences: the designated officials are barred from entering or residing in the Czech Republic, any financial transactions through Czech organisations are blocked, and assets held within the country are frozen.

In a separate but related measure, the Czech government has also prohibited entry to holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports who are not accredited in the country. 

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced the decision on X, stating, “At my proposal today, the government has banned entry into Czechia for Russian diplomats and holders of service passports who do not have national accreditation from Czechia. The measure applies at international airports. Sabotage operations are on the rise, and we will not risk agents operating under diplomatic cover. We are setting an example for other countries, and I will continue to push for the most rigorous measures at the Schengen level. We will defend Czechia.”

By Tamilla Hasanova