**UK Sanctions on Georgia’s Ruling Party to Have Far-Reaching Consequences**
The United Kingdom’s recent sanctions against individuals in Georgia’s ruling party have sent shockwaves throughout the country. According to Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement, these sanctions will not only affect powerful European states but also have a significant impact on the United States.
Speaking on Palitra News’ program Day’s Newsroom, Sanikidze emphasized that the UK sanctions are not arbitrary and are backed by solid evidence. “We can confidently say that many more people are planned to be sanctioned,” he stated. The UK has targeted individuals who were involved in building the vertical structure of Ivanishvili’s regime, including the Prosecutor General and the head of the Special Investigation Service.
Sanikidze believes that these sanctions will have a positive effect on Georgia’s democratic society by strengthening the protest movement against the ruling party. “These sanctions significantly protect our democratic society from negative sentiment,” he said. Furthermore, Sanikidze expects the UK sanctions to have a contagious effect on other European states and the US.
**A Harsh Response to Crimes Uninvestigated**
The UK sanctions have been imposed on individuals who failed to investigate specific crimes during their tenure in office. Sanikidze noted that these sanctions are not just symbolic, but also carry long-term consequences such as visa restrictions and economic penalties that cannot be revised or appealed. “These are the kinds of sanctions that economically destroy a person,” he said.
**Ruling Party’s Denial of April 9 Events**
Sanikidze also commented on the ruling party’s statements regarding the events of April 9, when a wave of violence swept through Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that “April 9 is a day when a foreign force committed violence against Georgian citizens.” Sanikidze termed this statement as “treacherous” and reminiscent of a traitor’s speech.
In Sanikidze’s view, the ruling party is trying to erase the legacy of the Rose Revolution of 2003 and rewrite history. He accused them of being “representatives of Russia,” who are unwilling to acknowledge their true loyalties. “They cannot be considered a legitimate government of this country,” he said.
**A Final Verdict for the Ruling Party**
Sanikidze concluded by saying that it is up to the people of Georgia to deliver the final verdict on the ruling party’s actions. “From a government like this, nothing surprises us anymore,” he stated. The UK sanctions have set a precedent, and Sanikidze expects more individuals to be targeted in the coming days.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the UK sanctions have sent a strong message to Georgia’s ruling party that their actions will not go unpunished.