Mariam Lashkhi Challenges EU Sanctions

Georgian MP Lashkhi Challenges EU Sanctions Over European Integration Halt

Georgian MP Mariam Lashkhi has announced plans to contest sanctions imposed on her by Estonia and Lithuania. She intends to challenge the measures, which were implemented following Georgia's parliamentary elections in October 2024 and the subsequent halt to the country's European integration process.

Lashkhi, who believes the sanctions are unjustified, aims to first appeal at the national level before taking her case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. She has also expressed her intention to contact legal professionals, Rechtsanwalt Thomas Andersson and Rechtsanwältin Liisa Mätlik, to assist in her challenge.

The sanctions, which include a visa ban and asset freeze, were imposed on 102 Georgian government officials, including Lashkhi. Estonia's sanctions list specifically names those accused of harassing protesters, journalists, and opposition figures. Lithuania has also aligned with these measures, suspending the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomats and officials. The European Parliament has indicated that it may extend these measures to additional categories of Georgian citizens in the future.

Lashkhi's decision to challenge the sanctions highlights the ongoing tensions between Georgia and its European partners. The MP's legal team will now prepare her case, with the initial focus on national appeals before potentially moving to the European level. The outcome of these challenges could have significant implications for Georgia's relations with Estonia, Lithuania, and the wider European Union.