US Sanctions Georgian Officials, Others for Opposition Repression

The U.S. sanctioned two Georgian government officials and two Georgian citizens for their ties to the violent suppression of peaceful protests and expression in the country.

The designations target Zviad Kharazishvili, chief of Georgia's Special Task Department, and Mileri Lagazauri, his deputy, for “violently” targeting Georgia citizens, political opposition leaders, journalists and youth activists who were peacefully protesting the country’s recent passage of a “foreign influence” law, which critics say is aimed at silencing voices that are critical of the Georgian government (see 2407230055).

The Treasury Department also sanctioned Konstantine Morgoshia, founder of Alt-Info, a media company used to “amplify disinformation and spread hate speech and threats against marginalized communities,” and Zurab Makharadze, a media personality with Alt-Info.