James MacCleary, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, states that he’s tabled a motion calling the UK to sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili for undermining democracy and enabling Russian interference in Georgia.
The motion has already garnered 13 signatures.
He published the relevant post on social media, entitled “Will we stand up for democracy or let Putin’s allies off the hook?”
“Will we stand up for democracy or let Putin’s allies off the hook? The US has sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili for undermining democracy and enabling Russian interference in Georgia. I’ve tabled a motion calling on the UK to do the same: “That this House expresses deep concern at the suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process and the increasing use of excessive force against peaceful protesters; condemns the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili in undermining democracy and facilitating Russian influence in Georgia; notes the United States has imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili and calls on the UK Government to do the same to demonstrate a firm stance against democratic backsliding; urges a review of the UK’s strategic partnership with Georgia and closer coordination with EU partners to counter Russian interference; and reaffirms support for the Georgian people’s democratic aspirations,” he wrote.
On December 19, 2024, the UK imposed sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on five senior Georgian officials for their role in a systematic crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, civil society, media, and opposition figures, including Vakhtang Gomelauri, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs; Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs; Sulkhan Tamazashvili,Director of Tbilisi Police Department; Zviad Kharazishvili, Director of the Special Task Department who is already under US sanctions; and Mileri Lagazauri, Deputy Head of the Special Tasks Department.
