The United States has imposed visa restrictions against dozens of Georgian officials over the adoption of a "foreign agent law," which sparked weeks of mass protests and criticism that it mirrors similar repressive legislation used by the Kremlin to stifle dissent and derails Georgia's Euro-Atlantic path.
The move, announced by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on June 6, comes following the promulgation of the bill by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on June 3 after lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party had overridden a veto of the legislation by President Salome Zurabishvili.
Hundreds of people have been arrested during weeks of protests against the piece of legislation. Some of the protesters who were detained during demonstrations, which were met with tear gas, water cannons, and allegedly rubber bullets that injured opponents and journalists, could face years in prison on criminal charges.
"This first tranche of visa restrictions comprises members of the Georgian Dream party, members of parliament, law enforcement, and private citizens," Miller told journalists.
"This includes individuals responsible for or complicit in, and immediate family members of those responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, such as by undermining freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, violently attacking peaceful protesters, intimidating civil society representatives, and deliberately spreading disinformation at the direction of the Georgian government," Miller said.
SEE ALSO: Opponents Of Georgia's 'Foreign Agent' Law Accuse Government Of Targeting Them In Campaign Of IntimidationU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first warned that sanctions would be imposed after the lawmakers' initial approval of the bill last month, and announced a review of all U.S. assistance to Georgia.
Washington, which has been one of the main backers of Georgia's integration into Western institutions, gave Tbilisi $390 million in aid over the past several years.
“These actions risk derailing Georgia's European future and run counter to the Georgian Constitution and the wishes of its people,” said Miller, without identifying those targeted, due to visa confidentiality laws.
He said “a few dozen” people were sanctioned for their role in the pushing the law and the crackdown on protesters.
"It remains our hope that Georgia's leaders will reconsider their actions and take steps to move forward with their nation's long-stated democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations," Miller told reporters. "But if they do not, the United States is prepared to take additional actions."
Opposition lawmaker Levan Khabeishvili, the head of the leading opposition United National Movement (ENM) party, hailed the U.S. move and said the adoption of the law will also be followed by economic repercussions.
“Lawmakers who voted for the 'Russian Law' and police officers who dispersed peaceful demonstrators came under sanctions, and this is just the beginning. What kind of investor will enter or stay in such a country?! Under [Georgian Dream founder Bidzina] Ivanishvili, economic collapse is inevitable! The destructiveness of Ivanishvili’s team is hitting the pockets of Georgian citizens. Thank you to the United States of America for supporting the Georgian people!”
Politician and entrepreneur Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of Lelo for Georgia, a centrist political party, said that, by sanctioning the "treacherous" Georgian Dream politicians, the United States was backing the Georgians' Western aspirations.
SEE ALSO: The Next Front In The Battle Over Georgia's 'Foreign Agent' Law“America has once again reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Georgian people," Khakaradze wrote on social media, urging his compatriots to use their vote at upcoming parliamentary elections in October to bring in change.
"The United States of America has taken action. The first wave of sanctions against the treacherous government is approaching. However, we must remember that the more the [Georgian] Dream government moves away from democracy and closer to Russia, the more it will damage the country and our international interests. This is not allowed! This is a betrayal of the future! So now it’s our turn again -- we need to put in even more effort to finally secure the victory in October!”
In a first government reaction to the sanctions, Culture Minister Thea Tsulukiani called Washington's move a "mistake" and called for it to rescind it.
“We can say with confidence that this is another mistake that, unfortunately for them and for us, the United States is making in relations with its strategic partner...the U.S. desperately needs to reset this relationship,” Tsulukiani said.
Papuashvili said on June 3 that the Justice Ministry will work out the tools for the implementation of the law in 60 days after which all NGOs and media groups that receive financial support from abroad will be obliged to register and report their finances for 2023.