The News in Brief
Monday, September 23, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Zourabichvili Pardons Activist Giorgi Shanidze Days After Sentencing
President Salome Zourabichvili has pardoned Giorgi Shanidze, an activist involved in protests against the controversial Foreign Agents Law, just days after he was sentenced to four years in prison. Shanidze, who was arrested in May during demonstrations, had been convicted for damaging surveillance cameras and cultivating cannabis. His supporters criticized the sentence as an "exemplary, demonstrative punishment" meant to deter government critics ahead of key elections.
The president's office announced the pardon on September 20, but initially withheld the identity of the individual. The statement simply noted that the convict had been "fully released from the subsequent serving of the prison sentence in a penitentiary institution."
Shanidze was released from prison the same evening. Speaking to reporters, he expressed surprise at the pardon, saying the decision was "unexpected." Although he admitted to the charges, Shanidze argued that the punishment was excessive.
This marks the second time President Zourabichvili has pardoned an activist involved in protests against the Foreign Agents Law. In April, she pardoned Lazare Grigoriadis, who had been sentenced to nine years for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a police officer and setting fire to a police vehicle during the March 2023 protests-charges Grigoriadis denies.
U.S. Prepares Sanctions Against Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili
The Voice of America has revealed that the U.S. State Department and U.S. Treasury are finalizing a sanctions package targeting Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party.
A "high-level official," speaking anonymously to VoA, explained that while sanctions against Ivanishvili had been considered previously, the new development is that a package is now fully prepared. However, the exact timing of its enactment remains uncertain, leaving open the question of whether it will be rolled out before or after the October 26 elections.
Another official claimed that Ivanishvili had taken steps to foster closer ties with Russian oligarchs, granting Russia favorable access to Georgia's market. The source added that some of these actions were allegedly carried out following directives from Russian intelligence services. The sanctions will be implemented under Executive Order 14024, which authorizes action against "harmful foreign activities" by the Russian government.
A source close to the discussions confirmed that the readiness of the sanctions package serves as a clear message. "Biden's administration wants to demonstrate its seriousness, hoping that members of the Georgian government will take notice," they said.
Although the timeline for execution remains unknown, a source close to the administration noted that the necessary preparations are complete. The U.S. still holds out hope that the Georgian government will steer back toward a democratic path.
This news comes shortly after the U.S. Treasury sanctioned several Georgian police officers and far-right extremists over serious human rights violations.
President Zourabichvili Pardons Activist Giorgi Shanidze Days After Sentencing
The president's office announced the pardon on September 20, but initially withheld the identity of the individual. The statement simply noted that the convict had been "fully released from the subsequent serving of the prison sentence in a penitentiary institution."
Shanidze was released from prison the same evening. Speaking to reporters, he expressed surprise at the pardon, saying the decision was "unexpected." Although he admitted to the charges, Shanidze argued that the punishment was excessive.
This marks the second time President Zourabichvili has pardoned an activist involved in protests against the Foreign Agents Law. In April, she pardoned Lazare Grigoriadis, who had been sentenced to nine years for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a police officer and setting fire to a police vehicle during the March 2023 protests-charges Grigoriadis denies.
U.S. Prepares Sanctions Against Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili
A "high-level official," speaking anonymously to VoA, explained that while sanctions against Ivanishvili had been considered previously, the new development is that a package is now fully prepared. However, the exact timing of its enactment remains uncertain, leaving open the question of whether it will be rolled out before or after the October 26 elections.
Another official claimed that Ivanishvili had taken steps to foster closer ties with Russian oligarchs, granting Russia favorable access to Georgia's market. The source added that some of these actions were allegedly carried out following directives from Russian intelligence services. The sanctions will be implemented under Executive Order 14024, which authorizes action against "harmful foreign activities" by the Russian government.
A source close to the discussions confirmed that the readiness of the sanctions package serves as a clear message. "Biden's administration wants to demonstrate its seriousness, hoping that members of the Georgian government will take notice," they said.
Although the timeline for execution remains unknown, a source close to the administration noted that the necessary preparations are complete. The U.S. still holds out hope that the Georgian government will steer back toward a democratic path.
This news comes shortly after the U.S. Treasury sanctioned several Georgian police officers and far-right extremists over serious human rights violations.