The Czech government has added five Georgian officials to its national sanctions list.
Czech media reports that those sanctioned include Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze—who, Czech Foreign Ministry says, publicly defended the use of force against protesters—along with State Prosecutor Lasha Kotrikadze, and Judges Koba Chagunava, Nino Galustashvili, and Mikheil Jinjolia.
The Czech Foreign Ministry, which submitted the proposal to the Cabinet, stated that the officials bear responsibility for the violent dispersal of demonstrations in both 2024 and 2025.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský noted that similar measures have already been taken by the United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. However, he added, there is still no EU-wide consensus on imposing sanctions against human rights violators in Georgia.
In January, Prague sanctioned three senior Interior Ministry officials for their role in suppressing protests: Zviad Kharazishvili, Director of the Special Tasks Department; his deputy, Mirza Kezevadze; and Patrol Police Chief Vazha Siradze.
