According to a Radio Liberty source, a letter detailing allegations of Georgia’s drift toward authoritarianism and ties with China, Russia, and Iran has been sent to Marco Rubio, the incoming US Secretary of State. The letter, dispatched on January 9, provides a list of 26 individuals tied to the Georgian Dream party, accusing them of enabling corrupt practices, suppressing democracy, and backing repressive governance.
The letter specifically targets members of former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s inner circle, describing them as key figures sustaining Georgia’s authoritarian regime. The letter also urges the US to sanction these individuals, citing their roles in election fraud, media control, and human rights violations.
The names listed are described as enablers of Georgia’s political climate, facilitating election fraud, media manipulation, and stifling democratic freedoms. According to the letter, these individuals include:
Family Members and Close Associates of Bidzina Ivanishvili:
- Ekaterina Khvedelidze, Ivanishvili’s wife
- Aleko Ivanishvili
- Shmagi Kobakhidze
- Ucha Mamatsashvili
Leaders and Officials in the Georgian Dream Party:
- Natia Turnava, Acting President of the National Bank
- Kakha Bekauri, Chairman of the Communications Commission
- Tornike Rizhvadze, Head of the Adjara Government
- Grigol Liluashvili, Head of the State Security Service (SUS)
- Vakhtang Gomelauri, Minister of Internal Affairs
- Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi
- Irakli Kobakhidze, referred to as the “de facto prime minister”
- Lasha Natsvlishvili, Party Ideologist
- Vasil Maghlaperidze, Director of the Public Broadcasting Service
Business Figures and Corrupt Financial Backers:
- Irakli Rukhadze, Owner of Imedi TV (US Citizen)
- Soso Pkhakadze, Founder of Wissol
- Khvicha Makatsaria
- Irakli Gilauri CEO, Georgia Capital PLC
- Vano Chkhartishvili
- Sulkhan Papashvili
- Giorgi Kapanadze (Known as “Rizha”)
- Ilia Tsulaia, Founder of Arki
- Noshrevan Namoradze
- Victor Japaridze, Owner of Postiv TV and Parliamentarian
Judiciary Figures Allegedly Complicit in Corruption:
- Mikheil Chinchaladze
- Levan Murusidze
The letter critiques the Georgian Dream for undermining democratic institutions, stifling free expression, persecution of the media and civil society, and repressing peaceful protestors. It also urges that sanctions be expanded beyond Ivanishvili to include his network of “enablers” whose actions have perpetuated a repressive state apparatus.
“While the United States has taken commendable steps by sanctioning Ivanishvili, it is necessary to recognize that his power is being sustained by a network of ‘enliveners’,” the letter reads.
These developments come in the wake of sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department on Ivanishvili on December 27, 2024, which also apply to his dispute with Credit Suisse, and follow Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement condemning the Georgian government’s actions.
“The actions of Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream have undermined democratic institutions, facilitated human rights abuses, and undermined the protection of fundamental freedoms in Georgia,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said after the sanctions were announced.
Anthony Blinken will be replaced in the Trump administration by Marco Rubio. The inauguration of the 47th US President, Donald Trump, is scheduled for January 20. Georgian Dream says it hopes that relations with the US will be reset after Trump’s inauguration, although no Georgian Dream officials have been invited to the inauguration. However, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has distanced herself from the ruling party, has received a personal invitation from US House of Representatives member, Joe Wilson.
First published on Radio Free Europe’s Georgian Service. Shared here with permission of the author.
