The United States has imposed financial sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling political party, Georgian Dream. Ivanishvili, a former prime minister and a billionaire,

President Joe Biden has imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgia’s ruling political party.

The United States on Friday sanctioned Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister widely seen as the country's de facto leader, saying he was undermining democracy and allowing Russia to benefit.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the founder and honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, in the latest blow for the Russia-friendly ruling party. "His actions have enabled human rights abuses and undermined the democratic and European future of the Georgian people for the benefit of the Russian Federation,

Georgia is gearing up for Sunday's inauguration of a ruling party loyalist as president, after his election was declared "illegitimate" by the outgoing leader and the pro-Western opposition. Mikheil Kavelashvili's inauguration is expected to further escalate the political crisis which has seen mass pro-EU demonstrations.