Opposition leader urges business leaders to distance themselves from Ivanishvili amid sanctions risk

Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition coalition, on Wednesday issued a warning to Georgian business leaders, advising them to distance themselves from Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chair and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, to avoid the risk of sanctions.

In a Facebook post, Khazaradze emphasized that while sanctions may target business owners and executives, they should not impact the employees who depend on these companies for their livelihoods.
Khazaradze cautioned that being sanctioned could have devastating consequences for businesses and their workers.

“Sanctioning the heads and owners of specific business structures should in no way reflect on the people who are employed in these companies,” he wrote. He urged business leaders to take preventive measures to shield their employees and business partners from potential repercussions.

Reflecting on his own experience, Khazaradze recalled how he and his former business partner, Badri Japaridze, resigned from their companies when they “came under legal pressure from the Georgian authorities”.

He suggested that a similar course of action could protect Georgian businesses from collapsing under the weight of international sanctions.

“For those who watched my interview yesterday and interpreted it differently – I was and will be a supporter of Georgian business. The country’s budget, stability, and jobs depend on it,” he clarified, addressing speculation over his stance.

Khazaradze stressed that the decision to impose sanctions lies with the United States and that individuals financing Russia’s regime should face consequences. However, he expressed concern that entire businesses should not be forced to close as a result.

“We did not come to the United States to push for sanctions on anyone. I cannot even do that. On the contrary, we were advocating for business structures—not individuals—so that they can survive,” he stated in an interview with TV Pirveli.