The United States has imposed sanctions on former Prime Minister of Georgia and billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream Party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Ivanishvili and his party “derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future,” making it vulnerable to Russia.
Ivanishvili is not an elected official but is described as the “honorary president” of the Georgian Dream, who spent 12 years in power.
The party declared victory in the recent elections amid allegations of fraud, and quickly announced the suspension of EU accession talks, sparking widespread protests.
Opposition representatives are boycotting the new parliament, claiming fraud.
The new president – former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili of the People Power party, who is seen as an ally of the Georgian Dream – is due to be inaugurated in two days.
But outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili, a staunch pro-European president, said she would not step down until new elections were held.
“We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its continued and violent repression of Georgian citizens, demonstrators, members of the media, human rights activists and opposition figures,” a statement issued by Blinken said.
Blinken accused the Georgian Dream Party of “continuous and violent repression” of Georgian citizens, demonstrators, journalists, human rights activists and opposition figures, and said the party's actions “restricted the exercise of basic freedoms.”
He added, “The result made Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20% of Georgia's territory.”
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described Ivanishvili as the “honorary president” of the Georgian Dream.
In November, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his government would not seek EU accession talks until 2028, sparking ongoing protests.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons against the demonstrators, who responded by throwing fireworks and stones.
The UK imposed sanctions on five other senior Georgian officialsincluding the Minister of the Interior, for their role in suppressing pro-European protests.
Last month, the European Parliament supported a resolution describing the elections as the latest stage in the “worsening democratic crisis” in Georgia.
She expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers.
