**Three Baltic Countries Impose New Sanctions on Georgia**
Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia have announced new sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations in Georgia. These countries are targeting judges, prosecutors, police officers, and other officials who are accused of enforcing repressive measures on behalf of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
**Restrictions Imposed**
The restrictions include travel bans and apply to individuals sanctioned for their roles in judicial actions and crackdowns. The Estonian government has released a list of 55 individuals who have been sanctioned, while Lithuania has added 74 names to its blacklist. Latvia has also sanctioned 16 individuals.
**Estonia’s Statement**
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the violence used against protesters, journalists, and opposition leaders in Georgia is “unacceptable, criminal, and in violation of human rights”. He added that the list includes judges, prosecutors, police officials, and members of parliament who have either taken part in violence or threatened it.
**Lithuania and Latvia’s Statements**
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys reiterated his country’s support for the Georgian people, stating that they stand with them in their pursuit of democracy and a European future. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze announced that she has added 16 Georgian citizens to Latvia’s persona non grata list, banning them from entry into Latvia.
**Previous Sanctions**
This is not the first time that these countries have imposed sanctions on Georgia. In previous rounds, they had sanctioned GD patron Bidzina Ivanishvili and senior Interior Ministry officials. The Baltic States continue to emphasize their commitment to supporting Georgia’s democratic aspirations and European integration, while holding officials accountable for alleged human rights violations.
**List of Sanctioned Individuals**
The list of individuals sanctioned by Estonia includes judges, prosecutors, police officers, police chiefs, members of parliament, and alt-info figures. The names of those sanctioned by Latvia and Lithuania are not immediately available.
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