US sanctions former Georgia prime minister amid political turmoil

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Georgia’s former prime minister and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, accusing him and the ruling party he founded of “undermining” the country’s “democratic and Euro-Atlantic future” to benefit Russia. 

“Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Friday statement. 

“Furthermore, they have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, a future the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution mandates,” Blinked added. “The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory.” 

Ivanishvili, while not currently an elected official, was described as “honorary chairman” of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream. The party claimed a win in the country’s recent elections. The party also announced in November it was suspending talks to join the EU, a decision that has sparked outrage and protests. 

Those critical of Ivanishvili have accused the billionaire of suppressing dissent and criminalizing his opposition’s efforts. 

The sanction on Ivanishvili comes as the U.S. has already imposed those on other Georgian lawmakers. They include the freezing of assets and properties, along with travel bans on the designees and their families. 

“We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” Blinken said. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.”

Some lawmakers in Congress earlier this month thought that President Biden’s administration was too slow in their course of action against Ivanishvili and others in the country. 

“I’m very frustrated because in my view we’re not doing enough, we are failing to meet this moment and answer this call,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said. 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) told The Hill that he wanted sanctions imposed on Ivanishvili. 

“The executive branch can act, and we’re expecting the executive branch [will],” he said.