The US imposed sanctions on the billionaire founder of the Georgia Dream party

The USA has imposed sanctions against the former prime minister of Georgia and the billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidina Ivanishvili.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Ivanishvili and his party “derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future”, making it vulnerable to Russia.

Ivanishvili is not an elected official, but he is called the “honorary chairman” of Georgian Dream, which spent 12 years in power.

The party claimed victory in the last election amid allegations of fraud and quickly announced the suspension of EU accession talks, prompting widespread protests.

Opposition MPs boycotted the new parliament, claiming falsifications.

The inauguration of the new president — former Manchester City football player Mikhail Kavelashvili from the People’s Power party, who is considered an ally of Georgian Dream — is scheduled for two days.

But outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili, who is staunchly pro-European, has said she will not step down until new elections are held.

“We strongly condemn the actions of Georgian Dream under the leadership of Ivanishvili, including its continued brutal repression against Georgian citizens, protesters, media representatives, human rights defenders and opposition figures,” Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken accused Georgian Dream of “continuing violent repression” against Georgian citizens, protesters, journalists, human rights activists and opposition figures, and said the party’s actions “restricted the exercise of fundamental freedoms.”

“As a result, Georgia has become vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20% of Georgia’s territory,” he said.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called Ivanishvili the “honorary chairman” of Georgian Dream.

In November, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kabakhidze said his government would not pursue EU accession talks until 2028, sparking prolonged protests.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannons against the demonstrators, who fought back by throwing fireworks and stones.

Britain has sanctioned five more high-ranking officials of Georgiaincluding the Minister of Internal Affairs, for their role in suppressing pro-European protests.

Last month, the European Parliament backed a resolution calling the elections the latest stage in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis.”

She expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote bribery and manipulation, as well as harassment of observers.