Lithuania Sanctions Kobakhidze, 16 Other Officials Over Crackdown

Lithuania has imposed sanctions on 17 Georgian politicians, including Irakli Kobakhidze, in response to violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced. Speaking on the matter, Budrys emphasized Lithuania’s unwavering support for the Georgian people and their European aspirations. The decision comes ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council slated for December 16, which is scheduled to consider the Union-wide sanctions against the Georgian Dream officials.

“Lithuania stands with the people of Georgia and their European dream. In coordination with Estonia, we have expanded the list of sanctioned Georgian politicians by adding 17 more individuals, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze,” Budrys declared. “We will not tolerate violence and oppression against peaceful protesters, journalists, and the opposition. It’s time for joint EU-level action now.”

We have obtained the list of the individuals sanctioned by Lithuania. These are:

1. Grigol Liluashvili, Head of the Georgian State Security Service
2. Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi, Secretary General of Georgian Dream
3. Mikheil Chinchaladze, President of the Court of Appeals
4. Mamuka Mdinaradze, Chairman of the GD parliamentary majority
5. Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze, former Prosecutor General, considered the main intermediary with the Russian security services.
6. Irakli Rukhadze, Owner of propaganda outlets Imedi TV and GDS
7. Levan Murusidze, Judge of the High Council of Justice
8. Viktor Japaridze, MP, owner of propaganda channel POSTV
9. Dito Samkharadze (Dimitri Samkharadze), GD MP
10. Goga Khaindrava, Political and public figure, owner of Le Khaindrava Studio, one of Ivanishvili’s political ideologues
11. Irakli Kobakhidze, Member of GD Political Council, elected PM by rump parliament
12. Giorgi Kobakhidze, father of Irakli Kobakhidze, a former member of the pro-Russian United Democratic Movement party
13. Zviad Shalamberidze, Prosecutor
14. Shalva Tadumadze, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Judge
15. Thea Tsulukiani, MP
16. Irakli Karseladze, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, holds senior positions in companies owned by Ivanishvili
17. Kakhi Bekauri, Head of the National Communications Commission

Earlier, Estonia also imposed sanctions on 14 Georgian Dream (GD) officials, including Kobakhidze.

The Baltic states—Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia—were the first countries to take decisive international action against GD figures, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s honorary chair and patron, as well as high-ranking Ministry of Internal Affairs officials. Among those previously sanctioned were Vakhtang Gomelauri, the interior minister, and Zviad Kharazishvili, the U.S.-sanctioned director of Georgia’s Special Tasks Department.

The latest sanctions come amid mounting concerns over Georgia’s democratic backsliding and human rights violations. The situation escalated after Kobakhidze’s announcement on November 28 that GD would halt EU accession negotiations until 2028. This controversial decision sparked widespread protests, marked by reports of inhumane treatment, illegal detentions, physical injuries, torture, and raids on opposition offices and activists’ homes.

Also Read:

• 13/12/2024  – Senators Shaheen and Risch Call for Immediate U.S. Action in Response to Georgia’s Political Crisis
• 12/12/2024 – UK Ambassador: We are Shocked by Law Enforcement Violence
• 12/12/2024 – MEPs in Tbilisi Meet President, Opposition, CSOs
• 07/12/2024 – Defending the Future: Understanding Georgia’s Fall Protests

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