WASHINGTON

The US on Friday imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, for alleged human rights abuses and undermining democratic process.

"The U.S. is sanctioning Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream. His actions have enabled human rights abuses and undermined the democratic and European future of the Georgian people for the benefit of the Russian Federation," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller wrote on X.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a separate statement, condemned Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream for undermining democratic institutions and curbing fundamental freedoms in Georgia.

"Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia. Furthermore, they have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, a future the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution mandates," Blinken said.

"The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory," he added.

He condemned the party's “violent repression” of citizens, including protesters, media members, human rights activists, and opposition figures.

Ivanishvili’s office has not issued an immediate response to the sanctions.

The sanctions came amid pro-EU protests across the country against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement on Nov. 28 that Georgia will suspend EU accession talks until 2028.


Since the start of the protests, more than 290 people have been arrested and over 150 police officers injured, according to the Interior Ministry.