The News in Brief
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
U.S. Helsinki Commission Declares Sanctions Against Georgians as a Show of Solidarity
The U.S. Helsinki Commission has announced that the recent sanctions imposed by the State Department on Georgian officials are a demonstration of American solidarity with the Georgian people.
The commission emphasized that actions going against the will of the Georgian people violate the country's constitution.
In a statement, the commission said: "The sanctions imposed yesterday by the State Department on representatives of the Georgian government are a clear show of American solidarity with the Georgian people. The citizens of Georgia should be able to exercise their right to peaceful assembly without fear for their health and safety. The Georgian people deserve a government that upholds its own laws and respects their freedoms. Acting against the will of the Georgian people contradicts the nation's constitution."
The U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on over 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their family members, for undermining democracy. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including Zviad Kharazishvili and his deputy Miller Lagazauri, as well as two members of the pro-Russian and violent group Alt-Info, Zura Makharaidze and Konstantine Morgoshia.
Russian Forces Illegally Detain Two Georgian Citizens Near Occupation Line, Says State Security Service
Two Georgian citizens were unlawfully detained by Russian occupation forces near the village of Mejvriskhevi in Gori municipality, according to a report by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) on September 17.
Following standard protocol, the SSSG immediately activated the EU Monitoring Mission's "hotline" upon receiving the information. The Geneva International Discussions (GID) Co-Chairs and international partners have also been notified.
The SSSG stated that "all available mechanisms have been activated" to ensure the swift release of the detained individuals, emphasizing that "the occupying power bears full responsibility for all destructive actions carried out in Georgia's occupied territories and along the occupation line."
U.S. Helsinki Commission Declares Sanctions Against Georgians as a Show of Solidarity
The commission emphasized that actions going against the will of the Georgian people violate the country's constitution.
In a statement, the commission said: "The sanctions imposed yesterday by the State Department on representatives of the Georgian government are a clear show of American solidarity with the Georgian people. The citizens of Georgia should be able to exercise their right to peaceful assembly without fear for their health and safety. The Georgian people deserve a government that upholds its own laws and respects their freedoms. Acting against the will of the Georgian people contradicts the nation's constitution."
The U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on over 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their family members, for undermining democracy. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including Zviad Kharazishvili and his deputy Miller Lagazauri, as well as two members of the pro-Russian and violent group Alt-Info, Zura Makharaidze and Konstantine Morgoshia.
Russian Forces Illegally Detain Two Georgian Citizens Near Occupation Line, Says State Security Service
Following standard protocol, the SSSG immediately activated the EU Monitoring Mission's "hotline" upon receiving the information. The Geneva International Discussions (GID) Co-Chairs and international partners have also been notified.
The SSSG stated that "all available mechanisms have been activated" to ensure the swift release of the detained individuals, emphasizing that "the occupying power bears full responsibility for all destructive actions carried out in Georgia's occupied territories and along the occupation line."