The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on two officials from Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. These sanctions come in response to alleged violent crackdowns on journalists, opposition figures, and protesters throughout 2024. The officials are sanctioned under Executive Order 13818, following similar actions against other Georgian officials in September 2024. This move aligns with the United Kingdom's designation of five individuals for human rights violations in Georgia.

"In the wake of Georgia’s election, key officials in the Ministry of Internal Affairs engaged in a severe and vicious crackdown against their own people, including the intentional targeting of journalists and use of violence," stated Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to limit the rights of their citizens and undermine fundamental freedoms — in Georgia and around the world."

Protests erupted across Georgia after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a suspension of talks regarding European Union accession. The Ministry's Special Task Department reportedly used excessive force to suppress dissent, employing tactics such as mass beatings and threats against detained protesters and journalists.

Prior to this year's protests, during demonstrations against a "foreign influence law" passed in May 2024, political opposition leaders, journalists, and activists were also targeted by security forces. The actions were overseen by Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and Deputy Head Mirza Kezevadze.

As a result of these sanctions, all properties within U.S. jurisdiction linked to these individuals are blocked. Transactions involving these assets are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC. Violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties for U.S. persons involved.

Financial institutions engaging with sanctioned individuals risk exposure to further sanctions or enforcement actions themselves. OFAC emphasizes that its sanctioning power aims not just at punishment but at encouraging behavioral change.

Executive Order 13818 builds upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act issued on December 20, 2017. It addresses human rights abuses and corruption globally that threaten international stability.

For more information on today's designated individuals or removal from an OFAC list, resources are available through OFAC's guidelines.