The National Bank of Georgia on Wednesday issued a statement following the imposition of sanctions by the United States on two high-ranking Georgian police officials and two leaders of the far-right group, Alt-Info. The bank addressed the manner of enforcing international sanctions, noting that a “distinct procedure” applied to Georgian citizens.
The statement follows sanctions imposed on September 16 by the US on Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the Special Tasks Department at Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, his deputy Miller Lagazauri, and pro-Russian Alt-Info leaders Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze. The individuals were targeted due to their alleged connections to violent activities and extremist rhetoric.
The National Bank, led by the former economy minister and now acting president, highlighted the enforcement of sanctions for Georgian citizens changed in September 2023, following US sanctions on former Attorney General Otar Partskhaladze. This move was linked to Russia’s alleged malign influence in Georgia.
According to the bank, sanctions against Georgian citizens will only be enforced if a Georgian court has issued a legally binding guilty verdict related to the basis of the imposed sanctions.
Although the exact procedure for initiating criminal prosecution of US-sanctioned individuals is not clearly outlined, the bank emphasized that “the Georgian financial sector operates in full compliance with the sanctions regime.” It also reaffirmed that Georgia has no intention of becoming a haven for individuals seeking to evade international sanctions.