US decision to sanction Ivanishvili is important for Georgia's democratic future in Europe - Braze

RIGA - The US decision to sanction former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is an important step towards the country's democratic future in Europe, which meets the demands of its people, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said in a statement.

This is an important step towards resolving Georgia's political crisis, the Minister said.

The AFP news agency reports that the United States imposed sanctions Friday on Georgia's former prime minister and key powerbroker Bidzina Ivanishvili, saying he is undermining the country's democratic future for Russia's benefit.

Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, holds no official post but is widely believed to pull the strings of power.

The billionaire is honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, which is now facing mass protests over its attempt to pull the Caucasus country from its pro-Western path.

"We strongly condemn Georgian Dream's actions under Ivanishvili's leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken added in a statement that Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream have "eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia."

He also said they "derailed Georgia's Euro-Atlantic future," leaving it vulnerable to neighboring Russia.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement on November 28 that Tbilisi will not seek the opening of EU accession talks until 2028 triggered daily street protests, now entering their second month.

Riot police have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters, some of whom threw fireworks and stones.

The interior ministry reported more than 400 arrests, while the country's top human rights official, ombudsman Levan Ioseliani and Amnesty International have accused security forces of "torturing" those detained.

The reported police brutality has attracted growing international condemnation. Washington and several European countries have imposed visa bans on Georgian Dream officials.