On 14 September, Otar Partskhaladze became the first Georgian national to be sanctioned by the US in connection with the Russian war in Ukraine. Partskhaladze is the former prosecutor general of Georgia and is widely considered a close associate of influential oligarchs including Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream political party.
The US designated Partskhaladze for allegedly influencing Georgian society and politics in Russia’s favour and for purported ties to the FSB, Russia’s security agency.
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) initially imposed restrictive measures against Partskhaladze, in line with US sanctions. However, after the incumbent Georgian Dream party criticised the measures for being unconstitutional, the NBG amended its rules and, on 20 September, reversed its decision regarding Partskhaladze.
Under the amended rules, in the absence of a conviction from a Georgian court, restrictive measures on Georgian citizens subject to international sanctions will not be implemented. Revealing a divide, other major Georgian banks have asserted their commitment to international sanctions. Partskhaladze denied any wrongdoing and claims the allegations are politically motivated.
Marchenko and two co-conspirators are accused of deceiving US distributors and government agencies into supplying him with military-grade OLED micro-displays on the basis that such products would be sold to end users across China, Malaysia, Europe, and other countries outside of Russia, primarily to be used in advanced medical research equipment.
However, such micro-displays can also be used to produce a range of high-tech military equipment and weapons systems. According to the US authorities, Marchenko employed deceptive tactics – such as shell companies – to conceal the fact that he was trafficking the illicit goods through third countries, including Hong Kong, into Russia. Marchenko is facing seven charges, with each carrying a penalty between 5 and 20 years in prison.
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