Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has launched an attack on the UK government after City AM revealed that P&G had axed its advertising with Georgia’s biggest media group, and Nestle may soon follow suit.
Kobakhidze described the decisions as “a shame for England, a shame for Britain [and] a shame for Keir Starmer personally, who was the most unpopular prime minister in the world”.
He said this is a shame for Britain because it is traditionally considered the homeland of human rights, and Britain decided to close down television in Georgia and attack free media in the country.
Nestle and P&G are investigating their links to Georgia, with P&G cutting ties with Imedi and Nestle launching an internal investigation into its relations with the company.
Other global brands, including the commercial arm of the BBC, cut ties with Imedi as soon as it was listed as a sanctioned company by the Foreign Office.
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Georgia has been rocked by waves of protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, a populist government that has faced accusations of being pro-Russian and anti-democratic.
Protests began in 2024 over a new law against so-called “foreign influence”, which was seen as an attack on free speech and European relations.
Last year, demonstrators attempted to storm the presidential palace, prompting Kobakhidze to apply to outlaw the three biggest opposition parties.
Kobakhidze claimed the withdrawal of P&G advertising and the possible loss of Nestle will not impact Imedi TV.
He said the media freedom in Georgia will be fully protected, no matter what kind of attack is seen from the British authorities on media freedom in Georgia.
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A spokesman for Procter & Gamble said the company follows the law in every market where it serves consumers and takes a rigorous approach to sanctions compliance.
P&G has not breached the UK sanctions regime, but has voluntarily adjusted its approach and paused advertising from Imedi TV in Georgia.
A Nestle spokesperson said the company complies with all applicable laws and international sanctions, including its activities in Georgia.
A UK government spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
The situation in Georgia has been deteriorating, with 10 opposition leaders sentenced to between two and seven years in prison over the Atoneli Palace incident.
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Kobakhidze has also accused the EU ambassador of supporting an “attempt to overthrow constitutional order”.
The Georgia-EU relations have been strained due to the country’s relations with Russia and its democratic backsliding.
The Georgian Dream party has been in power since 2012 and has been accused of consolidating power and restricting democratic freedoms.
The protests in Georgia have been ongoing, with demonstrators demanding greater democratic freedoms and an end to the government’s authoritarian tendencies.
