Estonia and Lithuania Impose Visa Sanctions on Irakli Kobakhidze

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has signed a directive banning 14 additional senior Georgian officials from entering the country. Among them is the controversial Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

“The violence perpetrated by the Georgian authorities against protesters, journalists and opposition leaders is criminal and against human rights.

I call on all EU countries to react and to take actions against those who use disproportionate force and brutal violence against the Georgian people, undermining democracy” said Margus Tsahkna.

On December 2, Estonia and Lithuania imposed visa restrictions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream, Vakhtang Gomelauri, Minister of Internal Affairs, and nine other senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Lithuania also included Irakli Kobakhidze in its sanctions list.

“In coordination with Estonia, we have expanded the list of sanctioned Georgian politicians by adding 17 more individuals, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

We will not tolerate the violence and oppression against peaceful protesters, journalists and the opposition.  It’s time for joint EU-level action now!” said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated that Irakli Kobakhidze and other officials, politicians, and business representatives on the list have directly contributed to the gross and systematic violation of human rights and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in Georgia. The ministry noted that these individuals have already been sanctioned by Ukraine and, as of today, by Estonia.

The decision by Estonia and Lithuania comes a day before the meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, where foreign ministers from the 27 member states will gather. One of the topics to be discussed is the situation in Georgia.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has released the names of 17 individuals banned from entering Lithuania:

1. Grigol Liluashvili – Head of the State Security Service
2. Kakha Kaladze – Secretary General of Georgian Dream, Mayor of Tbilisi
3. Mikheil Chinchaladze – Chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal
4. Mamuka Mdinaradze – Executive Secretary of Georgian Dream and Member of Parliament
5. Otar Partskhaladze – Former Chief Prosecutor
6. Irakli Rukhadze – Owner of the government propaganda TV channel Imedi
7. Levan Murusidze – Judge of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, Member of the High Council of Justice
8. Viktor Japaridze – Member of Parliament from Georgian Dream
9. Dimitri Samkharadze – Member of Parliament from Georgian Dream
10. Goga Khaindrava – Director and propagandist for Georgian Dream
11. Irakli Kobakhidze – Illegitimate Prime Minister
12. Giorgi Kobakhidze – Father of Irakli Kobakhidze
13. Zviad Shalamberidze – Georgian Dream MP, former governor of Imereti
14. Shalva Tadumadze – Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court
15. Tea Tsulukiani – Georgian Dream MP
16. Irakli Karseladze – Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, part of the illegitimate government
17. Kakhi Bekauri – Chairman of the National Communications Commission

Those previously sanctioned by Lithuania and Estonia include: Bidzina Ivanishvili – Honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream, Vakhtang Gomelauri – Minister of Internal Affairs, Shalva Bedoidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Ioseb Chelidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Butkhuzi – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Zviad Kharazishvili (Khareba) – Director of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mileri Lagazauri – Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department, Mirza Kezevadze – Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department, Vazha Siradze – Director of the Patrol Police Department, Teimuraz Kupatadze – Director of the Criminal Police Department.