The UK has imposed sanctions on five senior Georgian officials, including the interior minister, for violating human rights in suppressing pro-European protests in the country. These individuals will face travel bans and asset freezes in coordination with the US. The Foreign Office stated the violence inflicted upon protestors, opposition leaders and journalists is an egregious attack on democracy, referencing months of violent clashes between protesters and police since parliamentary elections held in October. Most recently, protesters have been responding to the government’s decision to pause EU accession talks.
The sanctioned individuals are Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Tbilisi Police Department Director Sulkhan Tamazashvili, Director of the Interior Ministry’s Special Tasks Department Zviad Kharazishvili, and Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department Mileri Lagazauri. The UK has already ceased the annual Wardrop Dialogue strategic dialogue and restricted defence cooperation with Georgia. The announcement was made just days after former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili was appointed the country’s president.
Protests against Georgian Dream began after parliamentary elections in October, intensifying at the end of November when the government announced it was putting EU accession negotiations on hold until 2028. The EU and the US have condemned the government for democratic backsliding. More than 460 people have been detained across Georgia over the past two weeks, according to Transparency International. Over 300 have been ill-treated or tortured, including dozens of members of the media. Pro-government groups have beaten civil society activists outside their homes and carried out arbitrary arrests.
Protesters have called on the international community to impose sanctions on top government officials. Demonstrators have used fireworks, which have been met with a harsh response from police using batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. Police have been responding to protesters draped in EU flags outside parliament, demanding new elections. Four out of every five voters are said to back joining the EU, a goal inscribed in the constitution. Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili, who is considered strongly pro-European, has pledged not to leave office when her term ends on 29 December, stating that her successor was chosen illegitimately
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