Transparency International - Georgia has said that if the United Kingdom imposes sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, more than 95 Georgian companies tied to his family could be affected. The organization highlights that Ivanishvili’s business empire, ultimately registered in UK offshore territories such as the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, would be targeted under the UK’s strict sanctions regime.
According to TI Georgia, the sanctions would impact a wide array of companies, including:
• Cartu Bank
• Cartu Foundation
• Galleria Tbilisi
• Axis Towers
• Heidelberg Cement, co-owned with Irakli Rukhadze, who also controls pro-regime TV Imedi
• Georgian Tourism Development Fund, which owns hotels under the Paragraph brand in Tbilisi, Shekvetili, and Abastumani
• Poti Free Industrial Zone, co-owned with businessman Vano Chkhartishvili
• Russian company Aqua Space, which manages the Ivanishvili family’s Moscow residences
The UK’s sanctions regime includes freezing assets, cutting off access to financial services, and limiting access to markets. These sanctions would extend to British offshore territories where Ivanishvili’s companies are registered. The potential sanctions follow a recent motion submitted by 14 British Members of Parliament, led by James McCleary, urging the UK government to take action against Ivanishvili.
McCleary stated, “We must decide whether to protect democracy or tolerate Putin’s allies. The US has already sanctioned Ivanishvili for undermining democracy and facilitating Russian interference in Georgia. I have introduced a proposal for the UK to do the same.”
TI Georgia identified multiple reasons for seeking sanctions, including the suspension of Georgia’s EU integration process, excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, undermining democracy, fostering Russian influence in Georgia, and the US sanctions already imposed on Ivanishvili.
Meanwhile, the Georgian Dream party issued a statement criticizing the motion and reiterating conspiracy claims about a so-called "global war party." It warned that if sanctions were imposed, the “UK’s reputation as a state rooted in rule of law and human rights would be irreparably damaged.”
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