Lithuania Expands Sanctions Against Georgian Officials Amid Democratic Concerns

Vilnius, Lithuania – Lithuania has significantly broadened its sanctions against Georgian officials, adding 10 new individuals to its list of unwanted persons. This latest move targets judges, prosecutors, members of parliament, and the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, signaling growing international concern over democratic backsliding and human rights issues in Georgia.

The newly sanctioned individuals are barred from entering Lithuania until 2030. These measures are part of a broader policy aimed at preventing foreign individuals involved in gross human rights violations, money laundering, and corruption from entering the country. The 10 officials now join 102 other Georgians already on Lithuania's existing sanctions list.

The list of newly sanctioned individuals includes:

Judges: Nino Galustashvili, Jvebe Nachkebia, Irakli Shvangiradze, and Viktor Metreveli. These judges have been implicated in high-profile cases related to protests and opposition figures.

Prosecutors: Mari Meshveliani and Natia Tatiashvili. Viktor Metreveli is also listed as a prosecutor in one of the reports.

Government and Parliamentary Officials: Sulkhan Tamazashvili, who serves as the Head of the Adjara Government and is a former police chief; and Georgian Dream MPs Mariam Lashkhi and Nino Tsilosani.

Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief: Razden Kuprashvili.

This action by Lithuania follows similar measures taken by other Baltic states. Estonia recently added 19 more Georgians to its sanctions list, while Latvia expanded its own list in mid-July to designate 55 additional Georgians as persona non grata, though their names have not yet been disclosed.

These coordinated sanctions underscore a growing international response to what many perceive as a deteriorating democratic environment in Georgia. The targeted officials are seen as key figures in a system that critics argue is undermining the rule of law and suppressing dissent. The continued expansion of these lists by European nations suggests a sustained effort to pressure the Georgian government to address concerns regarding human rights and democratic principles.