Georgian Dream’s Machavariani criticises UK sanctions, urges London to ‘fix its own democracy’

Levan Machavariani, Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream parliamentary faction and head of the party’s Tbilisi election headquarters, on Saturday dismissed the latest UK sanctions as “absurd,” arguing that Britain should focus on its internal political challenges instead of targeting Georgia.

Machavariani claimed that allegations about Georgian Dream’s ties to Russia had circulated for 13 years without evidence. “They cannot provide a single example of how Russian influence has strengthened in Georgia under our leadership,” he said.

He went on to criticise the UK’s domestic record, pointing to restrictions on freedom of speech.

“Britain itself has very serious problems. Even the US President and his administration raised concerns with one of their opposition leaders. Tens of thousands of people have been detained for posting conservative values and views on Facebook. This is a very sad situation for Britain,” Machavariani stated.

He also referred to large-scale protests against the UK Government’s migration policies, saying these reflected deeper democratic shortcomings. “It would be better for them to deal with their internal affairs and fix democracy in their own country,” he added.

The remarks come after the British Government imposed fresh sanctions on individuals it accuses of aiding Russian influence in Georgia, moves strongly rejected by the ruling party in Tbilisi.