Sanctions on Georgian propaganda channels "only the beginning" say Transparency International UK

Transparency International UK has welcomed the UK Government's decision to sanction Georgian news channels Imedi TV and Post TV but warned this should mark the start, not the end, of action.

Responding to the announcement, Duncan Hames, Director of Policy, Transparency International UK said:

"The UK Government's decision to sanction Georgian news channels Imedi TV and Post TV for spreading propaganda in support of Russia's war machine is an important and necessary step. It signals a recognition that Russian-backed influence operations have played a direct role in dismantling Georgia's hard-earned democracy.

"But this should only be the beginning. Georgia is being steered towards kleptocracy by a small group of regime enablers - in the process dragging the country further into Putin's sphere of influence - and sanctions must reflect that reality.

"The UK should now act swiftly to target these regime enablers directly - freezing their assets, restricting their access to UK financial infrastructure, and ensuring they cannot use London personally as a safe harbour or insurance policy when they are finally held to account."