Tbilisi (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Jailed Georgian opposition leaders warned Britain of growing links between the ruling Georgian Dream party and Iran, urging sanctions to tackle influence.
As reported by The Guardian, jailed Georgian opposition leaders accused the ruling party of alleging ties with Iran in a letter to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
What did jailed Georgian politicians write in a letter to Yvette Cooper?
From prisons in Rustavi, seven opposition leaders warned the UK of what they described as an “unprecedented expansion” of Iranian influence over Georgia.
In their letter, they urged Yvette Cooper to impose sanctions on those accused of ties with Tehran and on pro-government media owners, including some reportedly based in London.
The letter reads,
“We … respectfully urge you to consider extending sanctions to these individuals, their entities, and their family members, to ensure they can no longer enjoy the benefits of the UK’s democratic society while working to erode it.”
The jailed leaders said they were imprisoned by Georgia’s Russia-backed Georgian Dream, warning it is forging ties with Iran. They point to Khvtisiashvili, Georgia’s deputy foreign minister, showing support at Iran’s embassy after US nuclear site strikes.
The letter cites Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze’s Tehran visit, where he joined Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as “Death to America” chants rang out.
The letter to Ms Cooper was signed by Zurab Japaridze, leader of the libertarian Girchi–More Freedom party and former UNM politician, who was jailed for seven months in December for refusing to appear before a commission investigating alleged UNM crimes.
The imprisoned leaders write,
“Over recent years, Georgian Dream and its patron, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, have consolidated control over all state institutions, achieving full state capture and steadily dismantling the democratic constitutional order.”
They added,
“Currently, there are more political prisoners per capita in Georgia (over 60) than in Russia; more than 500 peaceful demonstrators from the recent protests were brutally beaten, including many who suffered broken facial bones; and civil society is under attack through draconian laws that mimic Russian practices and aim to completely destroy it. This is a frontal assault … Equally alarming is the unprecedented expansion of Iranian influence.”
The politicians write,
“The United Kingdom has already shown leadership by sanctioning members of Georgian Dream’s repressive apparatus – measures that had real impact and were deeply appreciated by our people.”
The jailed leaders continued,
“Yet we are concerned that key enablers of Georgian Dream – including business allies, family members of Mr Ivanishvili, and owners of propaganda outlets that, according to credible reports, spread Russian-scripted disinformation even targeting the UK – still continue to benefit from the UK’s financial system, with some operations reportedly based in London.”
What did Imedi TV say about allegations of being pro-government?
Hunnewell Partners, based in Knightsbridge and owner of Imedi TV, Georgia’s leading broadcaster, was accused by the EU of serving as a pro-government megaphone.
A spokesperson for Imedi TV stated,
“Imedi TV is an independent broadcaster that is broadly supportive of the government but which also favours vigorous political debate.”
They said,
“Being sympathetic to Georgian Dream is not a crime. In Georgia, there are numerous channels expressing every political view. Attempts to suppress Imedi TV, and to invoke international support for that, are antidemocratic,”
adding the broadcaster
“strongly reject the unfounded allegation that Imedi TV is a propaganda outlet. We take pride in our commitment to truthful reporting.”
The broadcaster also rejected claims of spreading disinformation or pro-Russian bias, calling them “ridiculous, unsupported, and categorically false.”
Allegations against Georgian Dream ahead of elections
Georgian Dream, under Bidzina Ivanishvili, faces accusations of aligning Georgia with Russia and undermining democracy.
Before the October local elections, jailed opposition members, including Khoshtaria, were punished for writing “Russian Dream” on Tbilisi campaign posters.
The Georgian foreign ministry did not respond. Georgian Dream said it remains committed to Europe and NATO allies. The party claims Western powers are trying to pull Georgia into the Ukraine war.
What new UK sanctions target Georgia-linked supporters of Russia?
Britain imposes new sanctions on Georgian allies of Russia. Kremlin seeks help from foreign allies, including Georgia, to sustain its war and influence operations as Russia weakens.
Two oil tankers have been sanctioned for carrying Russian oil to Batumi. They are part of the Kremlin’s risky “shadow fleet” used to secure energy revenues funding the war in Ukraine. These vessels will be blocked from entering UK ports and denied registration in the UK Ship Register.
What did Stephen Doughty say about UK action on Georgia-linked Putin backers?
UK minister Stephen Doughty stated,
“Putin’s war machine relies on an international web to spread lies and fund this network. We’re cutting off another lifeline by targeting and deterring those in Georgia who provide support for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.”
He added,
“The Kremlin must be in no doubt: the UK will continue to expose the shadowy networks propping up Putin.”
Key facts about the Ukraine-Russia war
The war started in February 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. It escalated to a full invasion on February 24, 2022.
From 2014 to 2021, more than 14,000 people were killed in Donbas, with total casualties since 2022 reaching up to one million.
As of 2025, Russian troops occupy about 20% of Ukraine. Daily fighting, drone strikes, and missile attacks continue across the country.