The Estonian government will issue travel bans for individuals responsible for human rights violations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"The people of Georgia have the right to protest in defense of their rights, as their ruling party has been systematically and deceitfully misleading the public for a long time. Citizens have the right to express their opinions through protests. The violence directed against protesters is disproportionate and a violation of human rights," Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said.

A joint statement was also published by the three foreign ministers on social media.

"The three Baltic States jointly agreed to impose national sanctions against those who suppressed legitimate protests in Georgia," it said. "Opponents of democracy & violators of human rights are not welcome in our countries."

The three Baltic States jointly agreed to impose national sanctions against those who suppressed legitimate protests in #Georgia.

Opponents of democracy & violators of human rights are not welcome in our countries.

— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) December 1, 2024

Protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi have rallied since Thursday against the government's decision to postpone EU accession. The authorities have used tear gas, water cannons, and violence against protesters and journalists.

Several ambassadors have resigned over the policy change, and hundreds of civil servants and 2,800 teachers have signed letters condemning the decision.

Yesterday, President Alar Karis said Estonia supports the Georgian people.

Last week, the foreign minister said democracy in Georgia has been "backsliding" and laid the blame on Georgian Dream accusing the party of "destroying democracy."

In May, the Financial Times reported the Baltics were among EU countries pushing for sanctions on Georgian leaders after they passed a Russian-inspired "foreign agents" law.

Estonia, Lithuania publish sanctions list

On Monday, Tsahkna and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis published lists of those denied entry to Estonia and Lithuania for "human rights abuses."

The same 11 individuals featured on both lists and the majority were connected to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the minister, Vakhtang Gomelauri.

However, the first name on the list was Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of the Georgian ruling party Georgian Dream. He is Georgia's richest man, who The Guardian called "the shadowy billionaire behind Georgia's pivot to Russia."

Estonia denies entry to Georgians who violate #humanrights
Bidzina Ivanishvili
Vakhtang Gomelauri
Shalva Bedoidze
Ioseb Chelidze
Aleksandre Darakhvelidze
Giorgi Butkhuzi
Zviad Kharazishvili
Mileri Lagazauri
Mirza Kezevadze
Vaja Siradze
Teimuraz Kupatadze

— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) December 2, 2024

Speaking at a press conference in Riga on Monday afternoon, Tsahkna said he had just digitally signed the list of officials.

He said the three countries had discussed who would be on the lists but it was "totally independent" and each country made the final decision for itself.

The minister added that it was "very important" that the three Baltic states made the move.

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the following list of those denied entry:

Shalva Bedoidze (Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Giorgi Butkhuzi (Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Ioseb Chelidze (Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Aleksandre Darakhvelidze (Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Vakhtang Gomelauri (Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Bidzina Ivanishvili, (Honorary Chairman of the Georgian ruling party Georgian Dream),

Mirza Kezevadze (Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Zviad Kharazishvili (Director of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Teimuraz Kupatadze (Director of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Mileri Lagazauri (Deputy Director of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia),

Vaja Siradze (Director of the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia).

"The entry ban was imposed on these individuals due to their participation in serious human rights violations by aggressively suppressing legitimate protests in Georgia," Tsahkna said in a statement.

"The Georgian people should be able to stand up for their rights because their ruling party has been systematically lying to Georgians for a long time, and people have the right to express their feelings through protests. Violence against protesters is disproportionate and against human rights," he added.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!