Four Georgian citizens and people linked to country's occupied regions hit by UK sanctions

Georgian citizens under UK sanctions

The UK has announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, imposing restrictions on 31 individuals, organisations and vessels.

The UK has added four Georgian citizens to its sanctions list: journalist Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, who lives in Russia; pro-Russian businessman and Solidarity for Peace party chairman Mamuka Pipia; party member Giorgi Iremadze; and pro-Russian analyst Paata Abuladze. According to the British government, the sanctions target these individuals for spreading Kremlin disinformation.

The sanctions list also includes three people linked to Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and so-called South Ossetia. They are Marat Kambolov, the so-called president of the occupied Tskhinvali region; his predecessor Alan Gagloev; and Russian political strategist Sergei Tolmachev.

Media reports say Sergei Tolmachev helped run the election campaign of Badra Gunba, the so-called president of occupied Abkhazia.

According to the UK government, the sanctions target actions that threaten Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Why has Georgia's government revived debate over Treaty of Georgievsk?

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the 1783 agreement with the Russian Empire saved Georgia and the Georgian nation.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine forms part of a broader pattern of disregard for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised borders of neighbouring states. This includes Russia’s ongoing occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The UK condemns Russia’s attempts to cement its illegal control over Georgia’s occupied regions, including through the so-called ‘presidential elections’ held in South Ossetia on 18 September and subsequent steps towards de facto annexation.

The UK firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and continues to hold Russia accountable for its actions,” the statement says.

The broader package of sanctions announced on 1 October also targets Russian sources of revenue, including the so-called “shadow fleet” and Kremlin disinformation networks, as well as individuals involved in crimes against Ukraine’s civilian population.

Georgian citizens under UK sanctions