U.S. Sanctions Bidzina Ivanishvili

December 27, 2024
U.S. Sanctions Bidzina Ivanishvili

Today, at 20:00, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Bidzina Ivanishvili to the sanctions list – for undermining Georgia’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic future for the benefit of Russia and for human rights violations in Georgia. As a result of Ivanishvili’s actions, Georgia has become vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory – reads the statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to Bm.ge, financial sanctions apply to any company in which Bidzina Ivanishvili owns more than 50%. Additionally, according to OFAC, the suspension of transactions includes the transfer of compensation awarded to him in the Singapore litigation case. Regarding this matter, it is stated that Ivanishvili will only be able to receive these funds if OFAC issues the corresponding approval.

For his part, Antony Blinken issues a statement which reads:

„The United States is designating Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation. 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. The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory.

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. The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.

Ivanishvili is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(C) of Executive Order 14024 for being responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the United States or abroad, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation.“



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