Georgian Parliament official slams UK sanctions on Georgian media, calls them blow to free expression

Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, on Tuesday reacted to the United Kingdom’s sanctions on the Georgian television channels Imedi and PostV, describing the move as an attempt to suppress free speech.

“It’s laughable that this decision cites, among other reasons, the claim that both channels report that Ukraine is the most corrupt country. According to international studies, Ukraine and Moldova are actually listed as the most corrupt countries in Europe. This gives the impression that this is an attempt to silence free, alternative viewpoints and speech. There is no other logical explanation for this decision”, Makhashvili noted.

The UK government has imposed sanctions against the Georgian television channels Imedi and POSTV. The relevant information was published on the official website of the British government.

Regarding Imedi, one of the reasons cited for the sanctions is the allegation that the television station intentionally disseminated information concerning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that misled the public and contributed to the destabilization of Ukraine.

Imedi is also accused of regularly broadcasting content alleging that the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are illegitimate, that Ukraine is a puppet in the hands of the West and a corrupt nation, and that both Ukraine and the West are attempting to destabilize the situation in Georgia.