Georgian Deputy FM: joining current Magnitsky List “not in national interests”

Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia, on Thursday claimed the country’s decision not to join the extended Magnitsky list was based on national interests. He noted the original Magnitsky list, adopted “in collaboration with Georgia”, saw support from the country. However, subsequent versions of the list were deemed incompatible with national interests.

Speaking in the parliament, the official did not elaborate on the specific contradictions with national interests and asserted the decision to refrain from joining the extended list was made due to the fact that the later versions and associated restrictions “do not align with Georgia’s national interests”.

“The decision was made in very active consultations with Georgia, and Georgia supported the initial version. However, later versions and restrictions, implemented according to this list, were not in accordance with our national interests. Therefore, we could not agree to those specific decisions,” explained Janjalia.

The deputy minister emphasized that joining the list would entail compliance with all obligations, including those outlined in the initial versions. The decision not to join the extended list was driven by the belief that the two-year sanctions proposed were not in the national interests of the country at this stage.

In 2020, Georgia became a part of the European analogue of the American Magnitsky List, imposing restrictions for serious human rights violations. However, as of 2021, Georgia no longer appears in the list of signatories. On December 17, 2023, the Council of the European Union extended existing restrictions against individuals on the Magnitsky list until December 8, 2024. Georgia did not join this extension.

The Magnitsky list, as a mechanism of sanctions in the EU, includes travel restrictions and the freezing of financial assets against individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations.