**International Union Condemns Georgia’s Government Over Election Violations**
The International Democrat Union (IDU) has taken a strong stance against the Georgian government, adopting a resolution that condemns significant violations during the October 26, 2024 parliamentary elections. The IDU claims that these elections were marred by substantial irregularities, which led to a deepening crisis in the country.
According to the resolution, Georgia’s government has been accused of suppressing peaceful protests using state-organized terror, creating an “investigative commission” to persecute democratic forces, and imposing harsh prison sentences on opposition leaders. The IDU also criticizes Judge Mikheil Jinjuolia for applying cumulative sentencing to impose a new 12.5-year prison sentence on Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been a political prisoner for over three years.
**Solidarity with the Georgian People**
The IDU expresses its solidarity with the Georgian people and calls on the Georgian Dream party to set a concrete date for new parliamentary elections. The union also condemns the actions of the Georgian Dream party, accusing it of sliding into authoritarianism and aligning with Russia’s orbit.
“We stand in solidarity with the Georgian people in their pursuit of legitimate democratic rights, a European future, and the fight against Russia’s hybrid war,” says the IDU resolution. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.”
**Sanctions and Accountability**
The IDU urges democratic governments to adopt clear policies based on two principles: reducing the regime’s financial lifelines by requiring financial institutions to cease cooperation with the illegitimate government until new elections are held, and imposing sanctions on the ruling elite responsible for democratic backsliding, electoral fraud, human rights violations, and persecution of political opponents.
The union also calls on democratic governments to impose coordinated sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, his family, companies, and support networks, as well as freeze all of his assets. Furthermore, it urges governments to take measures to disconnect Ivanishvili’s Cartu Bank from SWIFT and Visa/MasterCard networks, and impose sectoral sanctions on businesses that support the regime.
**United National Movement Reacts**
Representatives of the United National Movement, including International Secretary Zurab Chiaberashvili and Head of the Department of International Relations Irakli Kavsadze, attended the IDU forum in Brussels. They welcomed the resolution, stating that it expresses unequivocal support for their society and political prisoners fighting against the regime.
“We stand together with the international community to make them pay a price for establishing a dictatorship in our country,” said Irakli Kavsadze. “The United National Movement continues its fight both inside the country and abroad so that the voice of the Georgian people is heard everywhere.”
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