A Georgian lawmaker sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania said Tuesday she plans to appeal the decision and may take her case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, according to the independent Caucasus news outlet OC Media.
Mariam Lashkhi, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, told reporters she intends to challenge the Baltic nations’ sanctions, which she called unjustified.
“If you look at my personal activities, I have done nothing but promote friendship with Estonia and Lithuania,” Lashkhi said. “When I asked for the reason behind the sanctions, I couldn’t understand it. I cannot afford to file an appeal right now, but I plan to speak with a lawyer. Perhaps I will have to challenge it first domestically, and then in Strasbourg.”
Estonia and Lithuania were among the first to impose sanctions on Georgian officials following the October 2024 parliamentary elections and the subsequent freezing of Georgia’s bid for European Union membership. The measures targeted officials accused of persecuting peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition figures.
Since July, Estonia has imposed travel bans on 102 Georgian officials, including Lashkhi, who appears on the latest list of sanctioned individuals.
In addition to individual sanctions, Estonia and Lithuania passed resolutions suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and government officials such as Lashkhi. The resolutions followed a May decision by the European Council to partially suspend the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement.
Lashkhi said she might have stronger legal grounds if she could prove financial losses as a result of the sanctions.
Officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party have downplayed the impact of the Baltic measures. In July, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the European Union of “blackmail” over its moves to restrict visa liberalisation for Georgia.
In October, the EU approved new rules allowing easier suspension of visa-free travel from countries deemed to pose security risks or violate human rights.
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