The Ukrainian World Congress condemned the violence against protesters in Georgia and urged for increased sanctions against the country's government.

As reported by Ukrinform, this is mentioned on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian World Congress.

“We urge global democratic leaders, especially the EU and the USA, to implement tougher sanctions against the authoritarian regime in Tbilisi. This step should also include additional sanctions against the pro-Russian Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is a key figure behind the process of dismantling Georgian democracy and is, de facto, the shadow ruler of Georgia,” the statement reads.

UWC President Pavlo Hrody stated that each new day under the rule of the “Georgian Dream” increasingly plunges Georgia into pro-Russian authoritarianism.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a police state that normalizes violence against peaceful citizens and persecutes dissenters. Ivanishvili's regime is carrying out state-sponsored persecution of Georgian patriots who merely seek a better future for their country within the family of free European nations,” he emphasized.

As reported, pro-European protests in Georgia demanding new elections have been ongoing for 68 days.

The “Georgian Dream” has already banned the wearing of masks, the use of fireworks, and lasers at rallies. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze signed a decree prohibiting the holding of demonstrations on dozens of roads.

On February 2, law enforcement in Georgia detained over 30 participants of an opposition rally near the Tbilisi shopping center Tbilisi Mall, as well as participants of a march along the embankment.

At the same time, the ruling party of Georgia, “Georgian Dream,” initiated a strengthening of legislation to restrict demonstrations – in particular, fines and terms of administrative detention will be increased.

Photo: RFE/RL