Ruling party MP slams CNN for “fake information” on alleged exports of sanctioned goods to Russian via Georgia
MP Giorgi Amilakhvari accused CNN of spreading fake information over Georgia. Photo: Parliament of Georgia press office
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Giorgi Amilakhvari, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday criticised CNN and its host Christiane Amanpour for having spread “fake information” last week on alleged exports of sanctioned goods to Russia through Georgia.
Responding to Amanpour’s live interview with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in which the host suggested Russia had used Georgia to evade international sanctions imposed on the country for its invasion of Ukraine, the lawmaker stressed “no evidence” had been presented for the “unfounded allegations”.
No matter whether it is CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera or a domestic influential or a less influential media outlet, if such fake information - a lie - is spread, the Government is required to respond”, Amilakhvari told Palitranews.
He stressed several MEPs, as well as some Ukrainian officials and domestic Georgian opposition politicians, had also made similar accusations following the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, but with “no evidence” to back their claims.
Citing the country’s Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili as saying the Government had received letters of gratitude over the past year for its efforts in ensuring the enforcement of the sanctions in accordance with standards, the MP said Georgia had been “one of the first” to join the sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
In his comments on Monday, the Minister also said Georgian authorities had been in “constant communication” with the European Union, United States and “all of its foreign partners” to facilitate the enforcement of the sanctions.
He added “all instruments a country needs to have [for the enforcement of the sanctions] in customs, trade, finance and banking are in place [in Georgia], in accordance with international standards”.
The Georgian Defence Ministry on Tuesday rejected claims in domestic media that said a Buk surface-to-air missile system had been handed over by Ukraine to the country “free of charge” in 2008, following an article by Ukraine’s charge d’affaires who said his Government had asked their Georgian counterparts to hand the system back to aid Ukraine’s efforts in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker, on Monday said Georgia would “never become a place for circumventing the sanctions” imposed on Russia by the international community for its invasion of Ukraine.
Georgia is “one of the leading countries” in enforcement of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the country’s Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili said on Monday.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday rejected the “false” premise in a CNN reporter’s question to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on an alleged export of sanctioned goods to Russia through Georgia.
The Georgian Maritime Transport Agency on Tuesday rejected the statement of Yury Vladimirov, the General Director of the Sochi seaport, on alleged negotiations regarding the commencement of maritime transportation of passengers between Georgia and Russia, adding there has been no sea transport between the countries.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker on Wednesday criticised the former United States Congressman Adam Kinzinger’s statement on the alleged friendly relationship of the ruling Georgian Dream party with Russia, calling it “groundless” and based on information by “one particular biassed media”.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday said Georgian customs authorities had ensured “strict control” on the movement of goods in the list of international sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine “immediately” following their approval.