Lithuanian FM announces visa restrictions on Georgian officials for human rights violations

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has published a list of Georgian officials who are subject to visa restrictions due to their alleged involvement in human rights violations.

The list, shared on X on December 1, includes key figures such as Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream party, and Vakhtang Gomelauri, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, along with other high-ranking officials.

The complete list includes:

Bidzina Ivanishvili – Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream
Vakhtang Gomelauri – Minister of Internal Affairs
Ioseb Chelidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (since 2019)
Shalva Bedoidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (since 2021)
Aleksandre Darakhvelidze – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (since 2021)
Giorgi Butkhuzi – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (since 2019)
Zviad Kharazishvili (Khareba) – Head of the Special Tasks Department (sanctioned by the US in September 2024)
Mileri Lagazauri – Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department (sanctioned by the US)
Vazha Siradze – Director of the Patrol Police Department
Teimuraz Kupatadze – Director of the Central Criminal Police Department
Mirza Kezevadze – Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department

The announcement followed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, underscoring their commitment to imposing national sanctions against individuals deemed as violators of democracy and human rights.

“Opponents of democracy and human rights violators are unwanted in our countries,” the ministers declared.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister also announced a parallel move to impose similar restrictions on 11 Georgian officials, aligning with Lithuania and Latvia’s stance.

This coordinated action highlights the Baltic states’ unified approach to addressing human rights concerns in Georgia.