Dainius Žalimas: We must introduce sanctions and visa bans against judges who facilitate politically motivated persecution; we must halt the sale or transfer of police equipment that could be used for repression

Targeted sanctions and visa bans must be introduced, particularly against judges in Georgia who facilitate politically motivated persecution, - MEP Dainius Žalimas stated during a European Parliament debate regarding Georgian Dream's attempts to ban opposition parties.

According to the MEP, against the backdrop of attempts to ban political parties in Georgia, "we must acknowledge that Europe's response to the consolidation of authoritarianism in Georgia has so far been inadequate."

"The US, the UK, and individual EU member states have gone further in sanctioning those responsible for the repression of the Georgian people.

We must bridge this gap. First, we must introduce targeted sanctions and visa bans—including, and especially, against judges who facilitate politically motivated persecution. Second, engagement with the Georgian government must be contingent upon tangible steps to reverse this course and the implementation of the Venice Commission’s recommendations, which serve as a roadmap for restoring judicial independence and political pluralism. Third, we must halt the sale or transfer of police equipment to Georgia that could be used for repression. Finally, Europe must step up direct support for independent media, political parties, and civil society, while simultaneously demanding the release of those imprisoned on political grounds," stated Žalimas.