Khatia Dekanoidze: We have long been working to ensure sanctions are imposed on Ivanishvili, Kobakhidze, Papuashvili, and Kaladze; we are fighting alongside Georgia’s friends to hold Ivanishvili and his mafia-style group accountable

It is important for our society to understand that Georgia’s friends—together with us, who have long fought for Georgia’s peaceful European future—will do everything to ensure that Ivanishvili and his mafia-style group are held accountable for their actions against the Georgian people. This statement was made by Khatia Dekanoidze, a leader of the National Movement, in response to the upcoming European Commission debates regarding Georgia and the vote on a new draft resolution.

According to her, the resolution—like the debates—will address three main issues: the first concerns the banning of opposition parties, the second relates to political persecution, and the third concerns sanctions.

“I would like to inform the public that a debate on Georgia will take place today at the European Parliament session in Strasbourg. Following this debate, the European Parliament will adopt a resolution addressing the consequences of the actions taken by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream against the Georgian people. As you know, the National Movement is a member of the European People's Party—the largest European political family—and we have long been working with our partners to ensure Georgia secures a significant place under the European umbrella of peace and stability. Consequently, within the framework of our ongoing cooperation, we—together with our partners—will participate in this specific debate and the subsequent drafting of the resolution. The debate will focus on three main issues. First, it will address the topic of banning political parties. This involves depriving the Georgian people of the right to have their own political representation; it is a significant anti-democratic move that runs counter to the interests of the Georgian people. Second, the issue of political persecution will be raised. The trampling of rights and the absence of impartial justice are precisely the consequences of Ivanishvili’s 14-year rule. I would remind the public that our political leaders—as well as members of other parties and journalists, such as Levan Khabeishvili, Mikheil Saakashvili, and Irakli Nadiradze—are currently imprisoned; this is a key issue being addressed in the resolution and during the debates. Thirdly, regarding sanctions: we have long been working with our partners to ensure that the European Union imposes sanctions on specific individuals. We know that the United States has already sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili due to his Russian ties; however, we are calling for sanctions to be extended to Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili, Kakha Kaladze, and everyone else who sustains this regime and spreads Russian influence in Georgia. This entails both travel restrictions and financial sanctions. These measures would target those who fuel Bidzina Ivanishvili’s [system] through the transfer of illicit funds. We have long advocated for these sanctions, and we believe that sanctions should be imposed on all individuals—representatives of the regime—who act against the Georgian people and work to strengthen the Russian regime.

One of the most important points I wish to emphasize is that the European Union has just released a significant document regarding enlargement, in which Georgia is not included. It is not included because Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream has done everything to ensure that Georgia does not become part of the EU’s umbrella of peace and prosperity or secure its place within that civilized society; instead, they have steered us toward the source of the 'black plague'—Russia. Therefore, it is crucial for our society to understand that Georgia’s friends—together with those of us who have long fought for Georgia’s peaceful European future—will do everything in our power to ensure that Ivanishvili and his mafia-like group are held accountable for their actions against the Georgian people," stated Khatia Dekanoidze.