The Biden administration has recently imposed sanctions on the founder of Georgia’s ruling political party, Georgian Dream, due to the party's shift towards Russia and away from a pro-Western stance. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, has been targeted with penalties by the State and Treasury departments for allegedly undermining Georgia's democratic and Euro-Atlantic future in favor of the Russian Federation.
This move is part of a series of sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Georgian politicians and lawmakers this year. The sanctions include asset freezes, property restrictions in U.S. jurisdictions, travel bans on the targets, and their family members.
The State Department strongly condemned Georgian Dream's actions under Ivanishvili's leadership, citing ongoing violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, media members, human rights activists, and opposition figures. The U.S. is committed to holding those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia accountable.
Ivanishvili, a wealthy businessman with ties to Russia, founded Georgian Dream in 2012 and briefly served as Georgia's prime minister. Critics have accused the party of becoming increasingly authoritarian and aligning with Moscow. Recent legislation passed by Georgian Dream has raised concerns, leading the European Union to suspend Georgia's membership application process indefinitely.
In a divisive parliamentary election in October, Georgian Dream secured another term, sparking more mass protests. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement of a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia's EU membership bid has further fueled public outrage.
