Washington, Dec 19 (EFE).- The United States and the United Kingdom sanctioned Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri and Deputy Head of the Ministry’s Special Task Department Mirza Kezevadze on Thursday for the violent crackdown on pro-European protests that have been ongoing for weeks.
In addition, the UK sanctioned Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Tbilisi Police Chief Sulkhan Tamazashvili, Head of the Special Tasks Department Zviad Kharazishvili and his deputy Mileri Lagazauri.
In a press release, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that the Georgian authorities had engaged in a “systematic crackdown on demonstrations, civil society, media and opposition figures” in the wake of public rejection of the decision to halt the country’s progress towards European Union membership.
“The shocking violence inflicted upon protestors, opposition leaders and journalists is an egregious attack on democracy, and the Georgian people’s right to exercise their fundamental freedoms,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.
“Our action today shows that the UK stands with the people of Georgia and will consider all options to ensure those responsible are held to account,” he added.
The Joe Biden administrationIn blocked Gomelauri and Kezevadze’s property and assets in the US and said it had banned several Georgian security officials from entering the country, but did not identify them.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for brutal and violent crackdowns on members of the media, opposition, and protesters, including during demonstrations throughout 2024,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The US Department of the Treasury added in another statement that “mass protests erupted across the country” in late November in response to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia would suspend EU accession talks.
Security forces from the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Special Task Department “responded to protests with disproportionate violence to suppress dissent and discourage protesters,” the Department added.
Among the repressive police tactics, the Treasury cited beatings, insults, threats of sexual violence, and attacks on journalists covering the protests.
The Treasury Department also noted the repression of demonstrations in May against the adoption of the “transparency of foreign influence” law, which the Georgian opposition says is similar to the one adopted in Russia to stifle civil society.
According to London, these sanctions, taken in coordination with the US, contribute to strengthening the UK’s national security and its cooperation with international partners. EFE
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