The US has imposed sanctions on former Georgian prime minister and billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ivanishvili and his party had “derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future,” leaving it vulnerable to Russia.
Ivanishvilli is not an elected official but is described as the “honorary chairman” of Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years.
The party claimed victory in recent elections on allegations of fraud and immediately announced the suspension of EU accession negotiations, sparking widespread protests.
Opposition MPs are boycotting the new parliament, alleging fraud.
The inauguration of a new president – former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili of the People Power Party, seen as an ally of the Georgian Dream – is scheduled for two days.
But outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili, who is strongly pro-European, has said she will not step down until new elections are held.
“We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including the ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, media representatives, human rights activists and opposition figures,” Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken accused Georgian Dream of “persistent and violent repression” of Georgian citizens, protesters, journalists, human rights activists and opposition activists and said the party’s actions had “restricted the exercise of fundamental freedoms.”
“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 “honorary chairman” of Georgian Dream.
In November, Georgian Prime Minister Iraqi Kobakhidze said his government would not begin EU accession negotiations until 2028, sparking ongoing protests.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators, who fought back by throwing fireworks and stones.
The UK has imposed sanctions on five more senior Georgian officialsincluding the Interior Minister, for their role in suppressing pro-European protests.
Last month, the European Parliament backed a resolution calling the election the latest stage in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis.”
She expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers.
