During a speech in the United States Senate, Republican Senator Roger Wicker called on President Joe Biden's administration to impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, Kakha Kaladze, the party's secretary general, and Irakli Kobakhidze, the illegitimate Prime Minister of Georgia.
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“I would argue that it is time for the United States to demonstrate more decisive and timely resolve. Half-measures send the wrong message at this stage.
That is why I call on the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the leaders of Georgian Dream, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, Kakha Kaladze, and Prime Minister Kobakhidze.
Georgia is the homeland of freedom-loving people. They were once under Moscow’s control and do not want to return,” Wicker stated.
On December 19, the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri and Deputy Director of the Department of Special Tasks (DST) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Mirza Kezevadze, under the Global Magnitsky Act. Earlier, on September 16, the US imposed sanctions on the director of the Georgian Police Department, Zviad Kharazishvili (Khareba), and one of his deputies, Mileri Lagazauri. The US holds them responsible for the brutal and violent crackdown on the media, the opposition, and protesters, including during the 2024 demonstrations.
In response to the Western sanctions, on December 20, Irakli Kobakhidze appointed Vakhtang Gomelauri as Vice Prime Minister.
According to Kobakhidze, he plans to present high-ranking police officials with the Order of Honor following the inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president. Additionally, Kobakhidze stated that if any of them experience “financial losses” due to the sanctions, the state will compensate them.
