Georgian FM criticises UK sanctions as politically motivated, harmful to bilateral ties

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday criticised the recent sanctions imposed on Georgian citizens by the United Kingdom, stating that they serve to create a specific political agenda within the country.

The UK government on Thursday announced sanctions against Georgia's Prosecutor General Giorgi Gabitashvili, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Shalva Bedoidze, Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department Mirza Kezevadze, and Head of the Special Investigation Service Karlo Katsitadze. The grounds for the sanctions state that these individuals “are or have been responsible” for human rights violations.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili noted that such measures were hindering bilateral cooperation and were undermining shared interests.

“Unfortunately, the actions taken by the United Kingdom appear to have a campaign-like nature, using the instrument of sanctions against Georgia. We are witnessing repeated sanctions against various individuals over the same reasons, and this clearly serves to create a political agenda within Georgia - turning these issues into subjects of domestic political debate”, the Minister said.

She further stressed that this strategy constituted a step and a tool that “harms the historically established relationship and partnership between the two nations”.

The FM also highlighted what she described as the use of double standards in Georgia’s case.

“We see many instances where parallels can be drawn, and it becomes evident how double standards are applied when it comes to Georgia. What is acceptable everywhere in the democratic world is, unfortunately, being portrayed as a democratic backslide in Georgia for years, and this has taken on a campaign-like character ”, she concluded.