In addition to high-ranking officials from Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the United States has also imposed sanctions on the leaders of the pro-Russian, violent group Alt-Info. According to the Treasury Department, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze were the organizers of the violent attack on the peaceful demonstration.
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Based on the statement published on the Treasury Department's website, Konstantine Morgoshia used the media company Alt-Info, which he founded, to spread disinformation, hate speech, and threats.
“In July 2021 and 2023 he advocated for violent attacks against marginalized persons peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly and led hundreds of followers to break into non-governmental organization offices and attack journalists and police officers at the scene,” the statement read.
As for Zurab Makharadze, he is cited as one of the most vocal supporters of violence against peaceful demonstrators. He live-streamed acts of violence against minority groups and journalists online and raised funds for such violence in 2021 and 2023.
“During the attacks, he led a group to clear out protestors from in front of the Georgian parliament and then instructed followers to go with Morgoshia to attack the non-governmental organization offices,” the Treasury Department says.
Financial sanctions freeze all property and property interests of sanctioned individuals that are located in the United States or owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. Additionally, financial institutions and other individuals who transact with or engage in activities with sanctioned persons may themselves be subject to sanctions.
Alt-Info organized a protest against the March for Dignity announced by Tbilisi Pride on July 5, 2021, which escalated into large-scale violence against journalists and civil activists. Two years later, in July 2023, the violent group disrupted the Pride Fest, which was planned in a private venue.
Georgian law enforcement agencies did not hold the organizers of the violence accountable. Furthermore, at the end of 2021, "Alt-Info" was able to register a political party, the Conservative Movement. This pro-Russian party will continue to exist until April 2024. The public registry decided to cancel it after the Conservative Movement sought to participate in the October parliamentary elections, submitting the signatures of 50 000 supporters to the Central Election Commission.
