In a significant move, the Biden administration has enacted sanctions targeting the founder of Georgia’s leading political party, which has shifted the nation’s allegiance from a pro-Western orientation towards a closer relationship with Russia, U.S. officials reported on Friday.
According to statements from the State and Treasury departments, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is the founder and honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, has been penalized for actions deemed harmful to Georgia’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, benefiting the interests of the Russian Federation.
This latest designation of Ivanishvili is part of a broader campaign of sanctions that the U.S. has applied to various Georgian political figures, including lawmakers, throughout the year. These penalties consist of asset freezes and restrictions on properties that those targeted may hold within U.S. jurisdictions, in addition to bans on travel for the individuals affected and their family members.
The State Department expressed its firm disapproval of the actions taken by Georgian Dream under Ivanishvili’s guidance, highlighting a pattern of violent repression aimed at Georgian citizens, protesters, media representatives, human rights defenders, and opposition members. “The United States is dedicated to fostering accountability for those who threaten democracy and human rights in Georgia,” the statement reinforced.
Ivanishvili, a reclusive billionaire who amassed his wealth in Russia, briefly held the position of Georgia’s prime minister. He established the Georgian Dream party in 2012, which has maintained its status as the ruling party in Georgia.
Opponents of the party have accused it of increasingly authoritarian behavior and aligning itself with Moscow. Recent legislative actions mirror those of the Kremlin, aiming to suppress freedom of speech and limit LGBTQ+ rights. These controversial laws have led the European Union to put Georgia’s membership application process on hold indefinitely.
In the recent parliamentary elections held in October, Georgian Dream secured another term following a highly contentious process, igniting widespread public protests. In a move that further exacerbated tensions, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last month a four-year hiatus on discussions regarding Georgia’s European Union accession, drawing significant discontent from the public.
