The United Kingdom imposes sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for the violent crackdown on media and protesters. This is stated in a statement from the UK government, which was published on the British Embassy’s page in Georgia.

According to the statement, the sanctions are imposed on Vakhtang Gomelauri, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Zviad Kharazishvili, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, and Miller Lagazauri.

"Among the five individuals sanctioned for human rights violations are the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Director of the Tbilisi Police Department.

These sanctions follow last week's actions by the UK government to suspend support for Georgian government programs and restrict defense cooperation.

The UK, in coordination with the United States, imposed sanctions on five high-ranking officials responsible for violent attacks on journalists and peaceful protesters in Georgia.

Since the public opposed the decision of the Georgian Dream to halt the country's move toward a European future, the Georgian authorities have begun systematically cracking down on demonstrations, civil society, media, and opposition figures.

This decision undermines the core provisions of Georgia's constitution and is seen as the final step by the Georgian Dream to make Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin.

Today, among those sanctioned are the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and three senior police officials. They face travel bans to the UK and asset freezes, meaning their expulsion from the UK and its economy.

This statement follows the UK's decision last week to immediately suspend support for Georgian government programs and limit relations with the "Georgian Dream."

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, "The shocking violence against demonstrators, opposition leaders, and journalists is a horrific attack on democracy and the right of the Georgian people to exercise their fundamental freedoms."

"Our actions today show that the United Kingdom stands by the people of Georgia and is considering all options to hold responsible parties accountable."

The individuals sanctioned today are:

• Vakhtang Gomelauri - Minister of Internal Affairs
• Aleksandre Darakhvelidze - Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs
• Sulkhan Tamazashvili - Director of the Tbilisi Police Department
• Zviad Kharazishvili - Head of the Special Assignments Department
• Miller Lagazauri - Deputy Head of the Special Assignments Department

After the October parliamentary elections, special forces used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful protesters. Reports of targeting individuals for arrest and physical abuse have been confirmed by Georgia's Public Defender (Ombudsman).

UN experts condemned the repression and human rights violations in Georgia. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), of which Georgia is a member, called such suppression of freedom of assembly a serious violation.

In June, the UK suspended the annual strategic "Wardrop Dialogue" with Georgia in response to increased anti-Western rhetoric and laws inspired by the Kremlin, which restrict media freedoms and limit equality for the Georgian people," said David Lammy.