Britain announced today that it is imposing sanctions on Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, his deputy and three police chiefs for “violating human rights” during the “brutal” crackdown on recent pro-EU protests.

“The abhorrent violence inflicted on protesters, opposition leaders and journalists constitute blatant attacks on democracy and the right of the Georgian people to exercise their fundamental freedomsForeign Minister David Lammy said in a statement.

In addition to the interior minister, London imposed sanctions on his deputy Alexander Darakhvelice, Tbilisi police chief Sulhan Tamazashvili and two senior interior ministry officials, Zviad Harazisvili and Mileri Lagazauri.

These sanctions, which were decided in cooperation with the US according to the announcement, ban these persons from entering the UK and freeze their assets, which specifically prevents any British citizen or entity from having economic and commercial relations with them.

According to London, the five officials are “responsible for violent attacks on journalists and peaceful demonstrators” during pro-EU protests in the country over the past month or so.

The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to suspend all EU membership negotiations until 2028.

The opposition also accuses the ruling party, Georgian Dream, of rigging parliamentary elections held at the end of October, which the party declared a winner.

In early December, the British government already announced the suspension of “any program of support” to the Georgian government and the limitation of its military cooperation with Tbilisi as well as its relations with representatives of the Georgian government.

On Monday, the United States announced new sanctions against Georgia, while the European Union has not adopted sanctions at this time, in the absence of unanimity among the 27.