US imposes travel bans on Georgia officials over ‘foreign agents’ law
- New law in Georgia has been compared to Russian legislation used to suppress dissent, drawing criticism from the West
The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on dozens of Georgian officials in response to the enactment of a divisive “foreign agents” bill that drew weeks of protests by critics who say it will curb media freedom and jeopardise the country’s chances of joining the European Union.
The move to impose travel bans on the officials, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, police officers, lawmakers, private citizens and family members came three days after Georgia’s parliament speaker signed the measure into law following lawmakers’ override of a presidential veto.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller did not identify those targeted, citing visa confidentiality laws, but said “a few dozen” people were cited for anti-democratic activity.
“These actions risk derailing Georgia’s European future and run counter to the Georgian Constitution and the wishes of its people,” Miller said. He said the sanctions were first step and more penalties would be coming unless Georgia changed course.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned about such a move after parliament’s initial passage of the bill last month. He also said the US was reviewing its help to Georgia, which has amounted to US$390 million over the past few years.
On Monday, parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed the legislation sealing the override of a veto of the bill by President Salome Zourabichvili.
