Georgian watchdog founder: UK Parliament mulls sanctions on Ivanishvili

Irakli Abesadze, the Founder of the Centre for Civil Involvement, on Friday claimed that the British Parliament was actively considering sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgia’s ruling party and its honorary chair. 

Speaking to reporters, Abesadze said ongoing discussions in Westminster reflected “growing concern” over Ivanishvili’s political and financial influence, both in Georgia and abroad. “We are following the British Parliament, where they are actively discussing the need to sanction Ivanishvili,” he said.

Abesadze criticised Ivanishvili for what he described as efforts to discredit Western institutions, accusing him of promoting conspiracy theories about the United Kingdom and the European Union. “Ivanishvili convinces the public that Great Britain and the entire EU are part of a ‘deep state’ that is personally targeting him,” he said.

The comments come as Ivanishvili prepares for a court battle in London over losses linked to Credit Suisse. The case, set to begin on June 16, follows a separate arbitration in Bermuda - under UK jurisdiction - where Ivanishvili was awarded $607 million in damages.

“It is interesting how he would explain to the public that he trusts the UK’s legal system to deliver justice, while portraying the same system as part of a global conspiracy,” Abesadze remarked, adding that Ivanishvili had “helped dismantle judicial independence” in Georgia.