The Prime Minister of Georgia said today that Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chair of the Georgian Dream, would “not be influenced by sanctions or blackmail to compromise Georgia’s peace and stability”.

Irakli Kobakhidze addressed recent comments by James O’Brien [US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs], who said Washington had no information about threats against Ivanishvili amid an ongoing investigation by the State Security Service of Georgia over alleged assassination plans against Ivanishvili, conspiracy to overthrow the country’s Government.

“No external pressure would force Bidzina Ivanishvili to endanger the country’s fundamental interests.

The US Government has had difficulty addressing threats to its own presidential candidate. It is incomprehensible for the US to take responsibility for threats against Georgian figures…

Ivanishvili is under de facto sanctions, with USD 2 billion frozen in Europe. This is effectively a sanction against Mr. Ivanishvili. However, neither such sanctions nor blackmail can coerce him into actions that would harm Georgia’s national interests.

Bidzina Ivanishvili would not under any circumstances, even in the face of sanctions and blackmail, take actions that will lead to a second front, a war, or a scenario similar to what has unfortunately happened in our friendly Ukraine taking place in Georgia”, - said the Head of the Government.