The UK government has expressed deep concern over Georgia’s democratic backsliding, citing politically motivated prosecutions and the influential role of Bidzina Ivanishvili and his affiliates in shaping the country’s political trajectory.
The issue was raised in Parliament by James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, who asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs whether any assessment had been made regarding Ivanishvili’s influence and if sanctions were under consideration.
In a formal written response issued on 1 July 2025, Stephen Doughty, Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth and a minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), condemned the recent sentencing of several key Georgian opposition leaders.
"I am seriously concerned by the recent sentences imposed on several prominent Georgian opposition figures including Mr Japaridze, Mr Khazaradze and Mr Vashadze. These were blatantly politically motivated, and aimed at blocking political opposition from future elections," Doughty stated.
He added that the UK had summoned the Georgian Chargé d'Affaires on 30 June to deliver a strong message against Georgia’s deteriorating political environment.
"On 23 June, I called on Georgian Dream to end its misuse of the courts to silence dissent, and free all political prisoners," Doughty noted, emphasizing the UK’s firm opposition to Georgia’s increasingly harmful trajectory.
Doughty confirmed that the UK government is closely monitoring the situation, and on 1 July held discussions with European partners about potential coordinated responses.
While the minister declined to comment directly on the possibility of sanctions against Ivanishvili or others, he acknowledged their significant role in the current crisis:
"Any assessment of the current situation must also take into account Mr Ivanishvili’s and his affiliates’ influence on Georgia’s political landscape."
Doughty reaffirmed the UK's steadfast support for the Georgian people's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, underlining the UK’s readiness to assist should Georgia return to a path of European values and democratic norms.
"We do not comment on or speculate about future sanctions designations in any context, as to do so could reduce their effectiveness," he concluded.
The statement marks one of the strongest positions taken by a UK government official to date on Georgia’s internal political developments and highlights growing international concern over the country’s democratic regression under the ruling Georgian Dream party.
