Lithuania and Estonia sanction several Georgian Dream representatives on the eve of the EU Council

MADRID Dec. 16 () –

The Governments of Lithuania and Estonia announced this Sunday the imposition of sanctions on 17 and 14 representatives of the governmental Georgian Dream respectively – among whom is the country’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze -, on the eve of the Foreign Council of the EU, which will study “additional measures” due to the “persistent democratic decline” in the country.

The Foreign Ministries of the two countries have made announcements on their respective accounts on the social network European Union to act in the same direction.

“Lithuania supports the Georgian people and their European dream. In coordination with Estonia, we expanded the list of sanctioned Georgian politicians and added 17 more people, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze,” said the head of the Lithuanian portfolio, Kestutis Boudres. while urging the EU to take “joint action.”

Previously, his Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna, announced the application of sanctions to 14 senior officials of the Georgian Government, including the head of the Executive, for the violence carried out within the framework of the anti-government protests that have been taking place in the country for weeks. .

“Violence against protesters, journalists and opposition leaders is a crime and is contrary to Human Rights. I ask EU countries to respond and act,” he stated on social networks.

This decision comes on the eve of the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty-seven this Monday where they are expected to study taking “additional measures” against Georgian Dream in the face of the “persistent democratic setback” and the repressive methods used by Tbilisi against pro-democratic demonstrations, something which “has consequences” for relations with the EU.