UK imposes sanctions on two Georgian broadcasters on anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the government of the United Kingdom has imposed financial sanctions on two pro-government television broadcasters operating in Georgia - Imedi TV and PosTV.

The measures were announced on Tuesday, exactly four years after the start of the war in Ukraine. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expanded its Russia sanctions list by nearly 300 entities, including the two Georgian channels.

Both broadcasters were sanctioned for disseminating disinformation related to Ukraine.

In its official justification, London said that the channels have “spread deliberately misleading information about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, primarily to audiences in Georgia,” and that such content supported or facilitated policies or actions that destabilize Ukraine or undermine its territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence.

The UK government further said the channels regularly promoted narratives claiming that the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were illegitimate, that Ukraine was a “Western puppet,” that the country was corrupt, and that Ukraine and Western governments were seeking to destabilise Georgia.

The sanctions followed a recent ownership change at Imedi TV. In February 2026, previous owner Irakli Rukhadze sold the channel for what documents described as a “symbolic price” of 1,000 Georgian lari. The new owner is Ilia Mikeladze, along with five employees of the broadcaster.

Rukhadze’s company, Hunnewell Partners, operates in the United Kingdom. He sold the station approximately three weeks before the sanctions were announced. In January 2025, he told RFE/RL that while he might face sanctions from another country, the United States could not sanction him because he is a US citizen.

Asked whether the sanctions would disrupt the broadcaster’s operations, including salary payments or banking relations, Mikeladze declined to provide details but said the decision would cause “no discomfort” and would not hinder the company’s work.

Later in the day, Imedi issued an official statement saying that “British sanctions have no value” in the current circumstances. A presenter also said on air that the broadcaster had contacted the British Embassy in Georgia seeking clarification regarding the grounds for the decision.

At PosTV, 52% of shares are owned by Viktor Japaridze, a leader of the political group People’s Power, affiliated with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Another 24% belongs to Shalva Ramishvili, and the remaining 24% is owned by Temur Charelashvili.

Following the announcement, Ramishvili wrote on social media that “the West has degraded,” stating that Britain sanctioned the channel “because we do not say that Ukraine is defeating Russia.” He also compared the measure to sanctions imposed on Russian politicians, generals, military production and major banks.

According to official UK documentation, the measures imposed on both broadcasters include asset freeze, trust services sanctions and director disqualification sanctions.

An asset freeze means that all funds and economic resources owned by the designated entities within UK jurisdiction are frozen. Individuals and companies in the UK are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them or making funds available, directly or indirectly.

Trust services sanctions prevent UK nationals and UK-based legal or financial professionals from establishing or administering trusts for the designated entities.

Director disqualification sanctions prohibit designated persons from serving as directors of UK companies or participating in their management.

The sanctions also extend to UK Overseas Territories, including Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.