Georgian PM condemns possible UK sanctions on Ivanishvili

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has criticised the prospect of British sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, calling such a move “absolutely shameful.”

Kobakhidze’s remarks came on Friday following a letter from US Congressman Joe Wilson and British MP James MacCleary to the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. The letter, sent a day earlier, urged the UK government to impose sanctions on Ivanishvili over allegations that he is influencing Georgia’s political direction away from its European aspirations and aligning with Russian interests.

“England is truly the cradle of democracy. This is the country of John Locke, and in such a nation, discussing punishment without evidence is absolutely shameful,” Kobakhidze said.