Breaking: UK Sanctions Pro-Government Imedi, POSTV Channels
The United Kingdom on February 24 sanctioned Georgia’s two major pro-government TV channels, Imedi TV and POSTV, as part of its wider measures against Russia, saying they spread “deliberately misleading information” about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.
According to the announcement, sanctions imposed on the two channels include an asset freeze, trust services sanctions, and director disqualification sanctions. The two channels are identified as entities “involved in Russian disinformation.”
“It spreads and has spread deliberately misleading information concerning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to its audiences, which are predominantly located in Georgia, which provides support for or promotes a policy or action which destabilises Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine,” the sanctions notice said on both channels.
“In particular, it regularly disseminates content that the Ukrainian Government and President Zelensky are illegitimate, Ukraine is a “puppet” of the West, Ukraine is a corrupt country and that Ukraine and the West are seeking to destabilise Georgia.”
The announcement came on the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is part of the UK’s wider measures against Russia. Under this package, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added nearly 300 new entities to its sanctions lists.
It also came nearly three weeks after businessman Irakli Rukhadze sold his shares in Imedi TV and announced the channel’s current management as the new owners.
Imedi TV issued a statement shortly after the sanctions announcement, saying it has “served Georgia and the freedom of word for over 22 years” and had not backed down “even when the criminal regime ruled Georgia,” referring to the previous United National Movement government. The channel added that the British government “had not even expressed general concern about TV Imedi’s capture at the time” and that the U.K. “even after 2007 expressed support for the criminal regime.”
“Against this backdrop, the British sanctions have no value. For TV Imedi, the only meaningful assessment is the trust of the Georgian people,” the channel said, adding that it will continue its work “even more energetically in the service of Georgia and the freedom of speech in Georgia.”
POSTV also responded on social media, posting a card with just two laughing emojis.
Note: This news article was updated at 14:48 to include Imedi and POSTV’s reactions.
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