US sanctions billionaire founder of Georgia Dream party

The United States has imposed sanctions on the former president of Georgia and the billionaire who founded the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Secretary of State of America Antony Blinken said that Ivanishvili and his party have “undermined Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future”, making it vulnerable to Russia.

Ivanishvilli is not elected but has been named the “honorary chairman” of Georgian Dream, who has been in power for 12 years.

The party claimed victory in recent elections amid accusations of fraud and quickly announced the suspension of EU negotiations, sparking widespread protests.

Opposition MPs have been boycotting the new parliament over corruption.

The inauguration of the new president – the former football player of Manchester City Mikheil Kavelashvili of the People’s Power party, who is seen as a friend of the Georgian Dream – is planned for two days.

But the outgoing president, Salome Zurabishvili, who is close to European countries, has said that she will not leave her position until new elections are held.

“We strongly oppose the actions of the Georgian Dream under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including the ongoing repression and violence against Georgian citizens, activists, journalists, human rights activists, and dissidents,” Blinken said.

Blinken condemned the Georgian Dream’s “persistent repression and violence” against Georgian citizens, demonstrators, journalists, activists and opponents “and said that the party’s actions have “restricted the exercise of fundamental rights”.

“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 chairman” of Georgian Dream.

In November, Georgia’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, said his government did not want EU negotiations until 2028, sparking ongoing protests.

Riot police have used tear gas and water cannons against the protesters who have fought back by throwing bullets and stones.

The UK has ordered five more Georgian officialsincluding the Minister of the Interior, because of their role in preventing protests that encourage European countries.

Last month, the European Parliament supported a resolution describing the election as the latest step in Georgia’s “escalating democratic crisis”.

It expressed concern over reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and abuse of viewers.