UK Labour MP Blair McDougall addressed the Georgian government's "violent crackdown" on peaceful protesters during today's House of Commons session. He stated that Imedi TV, the government's primary propaganda tool, is operated from the UK through the company Hunnewell Partners.
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Blair McDougall has urged the Leader of the House of Commons, the government’s representative Lucy Powell, to hold a debate on this issue.
“In that debate, we might be able to discuss the fact that Imedi TV, the main propaganda arm of that brutal government, operates and is directed from the UK through a company called Hunnewell Partners. I wonder whether she might agree that in that debate, we could discuss whether it's time for an NCA investigation into those operations from this country for the direction of pro-Russian propaganda and the incitement to violence against those peaceful protesters,” McDougall said.
Lucy Powell thanked the MP for raising the issue. She stated that the UK government continues to call on the Georgian government to end its drift away from democratic norms and isolation from its Western partners.
“We continue to condemn the excessive use of force against protesters and journalists. you raised a very important issue about holding companies operating in this area,” said Powell, suggesting that Blair McDougall bring up the matter in the Business Committee debate.
Hunnewell Partners’ founding partner is businessman Irakli Rukhadze, who owns Imedi TV. The company’s assets in Georgia include Liberty Bank and the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant.
Protests involving thousands of people have been ongoing in Tbilisi since November 28, following illegitimate Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement at a briefing that Georgia would not prioritize opening EU accession negotiations until the end of 2028 and would refuse EU budget funding.
Police forces have repeatedly dispersed peaceful citizens protesting the suspension of European integration. Special forces have physically assaulted protesters and media representatives. Approximately 500 people have been detained on various charges during the protests.
In response to the ongoing events, the United Kingdom has suspended programmatic support for the Georgian government, limiting defense cooperation and engagement with representatives of the Georgian Dream government.
“We are suspending programmatic support for the Georgian government, such as funding for public administration reform and the Peace Fund of the State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. We are also restricting military cooperation. For instance, we will no longer assist Georgia’s Ministry of Defense in building its cybersecurity operations center, Additionally, we will restrict political meetings and interactions. Under these circumstances, we cannot resume the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue,” said Ambassador Gareth Ward.
The diplomat expressed shock over the violence employed by police and informal groups against protesters, journalists, and opposition representatives.
