The United States has imposed sanctions on Bizina Ivanishvili, former prime minister of Georgia and billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ivanishvili and his party had “derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future”, leaving it vulnerable to Russia.
Ivanishvili is not an elected official but has been described as the “honorary president” of Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years.
The Democratic Party, which claimed victory in the recent election amid allegations of fraud, immediately announced a halt to EU accession talks, sparking widespread protests.
Opposition lawmakers have been boycotting the new parliament over allegations of fraud.
Former Manchester City footballer and People Power member Mikheil Kavelashvili, seen as an ally of the Georgian Dream, is scheduled to take office just two days before the new president’s inauguration.
But outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili, who is strongly pro-European, has said he will not resign until new elections are held.
“We strongly condemn the actions of Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream, including the ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, journalists, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken accused Georgian Dream of “ongoing and violent repression” of Georgian citizens, protesters, journalists, rights activists and opposition figures, and said the party’s actions “curb the exercise of fundamental freedoms.”
“As a result, Georgia remains vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20% of Georgian territory,” he said.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described Ivanishvili as Georgia Dream’s “chairman emeritus.”
Last November, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his government would not pursue EU accession talks until 2028, sparking ongoing protests.
Police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters who fought back by throwing firecrackers and stones.
Britain also sanctions five senior Georgian officialsHe was responsible for suppressing pro-European protests, including that of the interior minister.
Last month, the European Parliament supported a resolution describing the election as the final step in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis.”
It expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and observer harassment.
