Georgian police arrested 16 opponents today protesting against the wedding of an alleged relative of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the eastern city of Kvareli, 150 kilometers from Tbilisi.
“Sixteen people have been arrested administratively,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
The opposition demonstrated in Kvareli to try to obstruct the marriage in which it was allegedly supposed the daughter of the head of Russian diplomacy, Ekaterina Vinokúrova attended together with her husband.
The opposition deputy for the United National Movement, Leván Bezhashvili, told the local press that “the protest will continue despite the arrests, to demonstrate that the population of this country has dignity and will not allow its Russification”.
According to protesters, Lavrov’s relatives arrived a day earlier on the first flight by a Russian airline in four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on flights between Russia and Georgia.
Georgian media and social networks reported that the wedding of rapper Moshe Vinokurov (Mika Vino), an Israeli citizen who may be the brother of Lavrov’s son-in-law Alexandr Vinokurov, was reportedly held in Kvareli.
Meanwhile, the Kvareli Lake Resort and Akhasheni Wine Resort & Spa hotels, in front of which the protest is taking place, described as “misinformation” that Lavrov’s daughter is staying at their establishments.
“This information does not correspond to reality. This is disinformation, a lie and a deliberate provocation. We do not have guests with this last name,” a statement from the hotels read.
For his part, the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobajize, described the events as a “xenophobic campaign”.
“Xenophobia cannot take place in Georgia, the opposition shows liberal fascism by unleashing a xenophobic campaign,” he added.
On the eve of several dozen Georgians protested against the resumption of flights between Russia and Georgia, which Georgian President Zalomé Zurabishvili called “undesirable”.
Obama and 500 other US citizens banned from Russia
Russia banned 500 Americans from entering its territory on Friday, including former President Barack Obamaas a “response” to Washington-imposed sanctions against hundreds of Kremlin-linked companies and individuals triggered by the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“In response to the anti-Russian sanctions regularly imposed by the Biden administration, theEntry to the Russian Federation is closed to 500 Americans.” announced the Russian Foreign Ministry.
According to a ministry statement, this new round of sanctions includes “significant figures” from the United States, such as former President Obama, as well as “leaders at various levels of the executive branch”.
Those sanctioned include Obama (2009-2017), current leaders of various levels of the Executive Branch, the former executive director of the Disinformation Governance Board, Nina Jankowicz, newly elected senators and congressmen, experts and staff of analytical centers, and heads of companies supplying weapons to Ukraine.
The US Treasury Department announced new Russia-related sanctions on Friday against 22 individuals and 104 entities in more than 20 countries.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.