UK imposes sanctions on Georgian officials over crackdown on protests

The UK government imposed sanctions on five Georgian officials on December 19, citing their involvement in the suppression of protests and attacks on journalists. 

The individuals targeted by the sanctions include Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, and four other senior officials, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the sanctions were a response to the Georgian authorities' actions against civil society, media, and opposition groups.

The press release noted that the government in Tbilisi had taken a more aggressive stance after the public opposed the "Georgian Dream" party's decision to halt the country’s progress towards EU integration.

Alongside Gomelauri, those sanctioned are his deputy, Aleksandr Darakhvelidze; Tbilisi Police Chief Sulkhan Tamazashvili; Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Special Tasks Department; and his deputy, Mileri Lagazauri. All five officials face travel bans to the UK and asset freezes.

"These sanctions demonstrate the UK’s commitment to supporting the people of Georgia and holding those responsible for repressing civil liberties accountable," said Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The sanctions follow widespread protests in Georgia, which erupted after parliamentary elections on October 26, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner. Protests intensified after Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Tbilisi would delay EU membership talks until 2028 and reject any EU budget grants in the interim.

By Aghakazim Guliyev