Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The United States has imposed sanctions on former Georgian prime minister and billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ivanishvili and his party had “derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future”, leaving it vulnerable to Russia.
Ivanishvilli is not an elected official, but has been described as the “honorary president” of Georgian Dream, which has spent 12 years in power.
The party claimed victory in the recent elections amid allegations of fraud and quickly announced the suspension of EU accession talks, sparking widespread protests.
Opposition MPs have been boycotting the new parliament, alleging fraud.
The inauguration of a new president, former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, of the People Power party, considered an ally of the Georgian Dream, is scheduled for two days.
But outgoing president Salomé Zurabishvili, strongly pro-Europe, has said she will not resign until new elections are held.
“We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its continued violent crackdown on Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” a statement from Blinken said.
Blinken accused Georgian Dream of “continued and violent repression” against Georgian citizens, protesters, journalists, human rights activists and opposition figures,” and said the party’s actions had “braked the exercise of fundamental freedoms.”
“The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20% of Georgia’s territory,” he said.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described Ivanishvili as the “honorary president” of Georgian Dream.
In November, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his government would not pursue EU accession talks until 2028, sparking continued protests.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters, who responded by throwing fireworks and stones.
The UK has sanctioned five more senior Georgian officialsincluding the Minister of the Interior, for his role in the repression of pro-European protests.
Last month, the European Parliament backed a resolution describing the elections as the latest stage in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis.”
He expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers.
