US Congressman Joe Wilson publishes list of Georgian officials sanctionable under MEGOBARI Act

US Congressman Joe Wilson, co-chair of the US Helsinki Commission and lead author of the MEGOBARI Act, has published a list of Georgian individuals identified as 'enablers of state capture' under ruling party Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili’s influence.

Wilson shared the list via his official X account, declaring: “The MEGOBARI Act has passed the House and all enablers of the America-hating Ivanishvili mafia cabal should be put on notice! Support free and fair elections or face the consequences.”

The release comes just on the same day the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the MEGOBARI Act (Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence) with 349 votes in favor and 42 against, underscoring strong bipartisan support. The legislation targets Georgian officials involved in democratic backsliding and illicit cooperation with authoritarian regimes including Russia, China, and Iran.

The document, titled "Enablers of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s State Capture in Georgia", lists the following individuals potentially subject to US sanctions:

Executive and Law Enforcement

Irakli Kobakhidze – Prime Minister

Kakha Kaladze – Mayor of Tbilisi; Georgian Dream Secretary

Irakli Shotadze – Prosecutor General of Georgia

Grigol Liluashvili – Head of the State Security Service

Anzor Chubinidze – Head of the Special State Protection Service

Ilia Darchiashvili – Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ruslan Tsalakhelashvili – Head of Adjara Government

Legislature

Shalva Papuashvili – Speaker of Parliament

Mamuka Mdinaradze – Head of Parliamentary Majority

Gia Volski – First Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Irma Zavradashvili – Chair of the Georgian Dream Parliamentary Faction

Tornike Rizhvadze – Member of Parliament

Judiciary

Mikheil Chinchaladze – Chairman of Tbilisi Court of Appeal

Levan Murusidze – Member of the High Council of Justice

Merab Gabinashvili – Chairman of the Supreme Court

Ekaterine Gasitashvili – Deputy Chair of Tbilisi Court of Appeal

Vladimer Kakhadze – Deputy Chair of Tbilisi City Court

Shota Getsadze – Deputy Chair of the Supreme Court

Zurab Aznaurashvili – Deputy Chair of the Supreme Court

Key Institutions

Irakli Gharibashvili – Former Prime Minister of Georgia

Irakli Beraia – Chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Committee

Gia Tsatsashvili – Head of Financial Monitoring Service

Otar Partskhaladze – Former Prosecutor General of Georgia

Natia Turnava – President of the National Bank of Georgia

The individuals named are accused of enabling Ivanishvili's consolidation of power and undermining Georgia’s sovereignty and democracy. The MEGOBARI Act authorizes the US government to impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, against such persons.

The bill now awaits consideration in the US Senate, where it has already been introduced with bipartisan support. If adopted, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for approval.