LONDON - Britain announced 31 new sanctions measures on Oct. 1 targeting sources of financing for Russia’s war, pro-Kremlin disinformation networks and people accused of abuses against Ukrainians. Four Georgian nationals were among those designated.
The package covers 23 individuals and entities and eight vessels, according to a statement from Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The UK Sanctions List was updated the same day.
The Georgian nationals named in the measures are Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Giorgi Iremadze, Mamuka Pipia and Paata Abuladze. Britain said the group was involved in spreading pro-Kremlin narratives, including efforts to legitimize Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory and work connected to Russian-installed structures in occupied South Ossetia.
Vesti Baku reported, citing APA’s Georgian bureau, that Mzhavanadze is a public figure who has repeatedly made anti-Azerbaijani statements.
Asset Freezes and Travel Bans
The 23 designated individuals and entities face asset freezes, restrictions on trust services and bans on holding company director positions. The individuals are also subject to British travel bans.
The eight vessels face shipping and trade restrictions. Britain said the group includes three vessels in what it described as a liquefied natural gas “shadow fleet,” two ships that provided bunkering services to them and three Russian-owned ice-class vessels.
The government also linked other designations in the package to the alleged unlawful detention and torture of Ukrainian civilians, as well as the ideological indoctrination and military training of Ukrainian children taken from occupied areas. Those allegations reflect the British government’s stated basis for the measures.