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 and promotes narratives aligned with Moscow’s war effort.
According to the announcement, sanctions imposed on the two channels include an asset freeze, trust services sanctions, and director disqualification sanctions.
“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.
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.
