Bokuchava Calls for Sanctions on Ivanishvili at Council of Europe Assembly
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Tina Bokuchava, Chairperson of the United National Movement, addressed the Council of Europe Assembly with a strong call for action against the Georgian government, urging lawmakers to push their governments to impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and members of Georgian Dream.
"I urge you, as lawmakers, to call on your governments to impose sanctions on Ivanishvili and representatives of his regime, because this is the only way to apply external pressure," Bokuchava said.
She described what she called a campaign of repression against the opposition in Georgia, highlighting the recent arrests of key political figures. "The last time I was here, I was with a delegation of Georgia's democratic forces, including Zurab Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze - today, both of them are behind bars," she noted. "Just a few days ago, they were sentenced to prison simply for refusing to appear before a de facto, illegitimate parliamentary commission whose sole purpose is the total destruction of the democratic opposition."
Bokuchava added that two more opposition leaders, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, were also arrested this week, and that Nika Gvaramia had been imprisoned days earlier. She reminded the Assembly that the founder of her party and former president Mikheil Saakashvili has been in prison for more than three years.
"I'm not even sure that I'll be free by the next session and able to meet you again," Bokuchava said, citing pressure and intimidation from authorities. "Two weeks ago, my husband was violently kidnapped for ten hours and threatened with harm to our children."
"Nearly every political leader is behind bars. We see draconian laws targeting free media and civil society. We see mass repression and torture."
Bokuchava called on European leaders to find a way around internal EU opposition to sanctions. "The European Union can act, but its decision is being blocked by two member states. We hope a way will be found to overcome this veto and impose sanctions."
She concluded with a message of solidarity: "With our principled positions, statements, engagement, and firm support for political prisoners and protesters, we must show this regime that its propaganda - claiming Europe and the United States have forgotten Georgia and are turning a blind eye to the rise of authoritarianism - is false."
