UK sanctions Georgian officials over protest crackdown

LONDON — The UK on Thursday slapped sanctions on four senior Georgian officials for their role in "allowing serious human rights violations" during a months-long crackdown on protests.

Mass demonstrations have rocked the country since late November after the Georgian Dream party claimed victory in elections rejected by the opposition, and then shelved EU accession talks with Brussels.

Pro-EU and anti-government activists have accused the police and state of pursuing a campaign of intimidation, including arrests, beatings and fines, to crack down on those who took to the streets.

"The UK has sanctioned four more high-ranking Georgian officials for their role in allowing serious human rights violations in response to legitimate protests in Georgia," the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [FCDO] said in a statement.

General Prosecutor Giorgi Gabitashvili and the Head of the Special Investigatory Service -- which probes violent crimes by officials -- Karlo Katsitadze are among those hit by the latest UK asset freezes and travel bans.

According to the FCDO, Britain "is the first state" to sanction the two high-ranking officials "for failing in their positions to properly investigate those responsible for serious violence".

The sanctions add to five previously announced in December, including against Tbilisi's interior minister and the police department chief.

"More than 100 days on, its authorities have failed to hold those responsible to account, flying in the face of Georgian Dream's claim to be delivering a democratic future for its citizens," said Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

"Our sanctions show the UK will not accept such a blatant lack of accountability by those in charge, and will continue to consider all options available to us until Georgia reverses its current trajectory."

The Georgian Dream government has faced increasing international pressure and isolation due to claims of democratic backsliding.

In the first wave of protests that began in November, riot police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds and arrested hundreds, according to the interior ministry.

Georgia's rights ombudsman, Levan Ioseliani and Amnesty International have accused police of torturing those arrested.