The UK has imposed sanctions on Mamuka Pipia, Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Giorgi Iremadze, and Paata Abuladze
The UK has imposed sanctions on individuals involved in spreading Kremlin-backed disinformation, including four Georgian citizens, the UK government reports.
The UK has expanded its sanctions list against Russia.
"Today's package includes seven individuals—among them four Georgian citizens—who are involved in spreading Kremlin-backed disinformation, ranging from legitimizing Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory to serving in the Russian-appointed administration in occupied South Ossetia," the UK government statement reads.
Those included in the sanctions list are: Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Giorgi Iremadze, Mamuka Pipia, and Paata Abuladze.
The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the UK, and restrictions on trust-related services. "Mamuka Pipia has participated—or is participating—in promoting policies or actions that destabilize Ukraine, or that undermine, threaten, or violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. In his capacity as leader and international secretary of the Georgian political party 'Solidarity for Peace,' he led a delegation of Georgian politicians that met with the leader of the so-called 'Donetsk People's Republic' and subsequently made a public statement regarding the visit. He also facilitated the spread of Russian disinformation narratives," states the information released by the British government.
According to the same information, Giorgi Iremadze, a member of the 'Solidarity for Peace' political council, joined the delegation of Georgian politicians that met with the leader of the 'Donetsk People's Republic.' "He also participated in promoting policies or actions that destabilize Ukraine, or undermine, threaten, or violate Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence," the document states.
According to the UK government, Nikoloz Mzhavanadze—as the founder of a Russian-language TV channel operating in Georgia—also joined the aforementioned delegation of Georgian politicians.
Paata Abuladze is also mentioned in the British government document as a member of the delegation and as a political and military commentator.
Earlier, the British Embassy in Georgia announced sanctions against Marat Kambolov, Alan Gagloev, and Sergey Tolmachev, who are linked to Georgia's illegally occupied regions of Abkhazia and "South Ossetia."