UNM’s Bezhashvili: ‘regime must feel full force of sanctions’

Levan Bezhashvili, a leader of the United National Movement opposition party, on Wednesday said the ruling Georgian Dream party must “feel the severity of sanctions,” as European bodies prepare a critical resolution on Tbilisi.

Bezhashvili was commenting on a resolution being drafted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which he said will serve as a methodology upon which the European Union and other governing bodies may base future policy toward Georgia. Debates on the motion are scheduled to take place in the Assembly tomorrow, after which a final resolution is expected.

“Significant is that after 13 years our Western partners are making statements and adopting such resolutions. This PACE resolution will effectively be the methodology that the EU and its governing bodies will use to shape their policy toward Georgia. As a result of that policy, Ivanishvili and his associates are already sanctioned by individual EU countries and have suffered substantial financial damage. This regime must feel the full force of sanctions,” Bezhashvili said.