U.S. Slaps New Sanctions On Georgian Government Officials, Dozens Of Others

The United States has slapped sanctions on more than 60 Georgians, including two members of the government, who it said have "undermined" democracy and human rights in the country amid concerns in the West of Tbilisi's tilt toward Moscow.

"The United States has imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials...for their involvement in serious human rights abuse during the violent response to peaceful protests against the foreign influence law," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on September 16 in a statement.

It identified the government officials as Interior Ministry Special Task Department chief Zviad "Khareba" Kharazishvili and one of his deputies, Mileri Lagazauri.

"We are also sanctioning two Georgian leaders of a violent extremist group, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, for serious human rights abuse, including violent attacks on Georgians exercising their freedom of peaceful assembly."

The ruling Georgian Dream party has come under fire from Georgia's Western allies following its move to introduce a "foreign agent" law that many fear will stifle media and independent voices.

Georgia's parliament in May gave final passage to the law, overriding a veto by President Salome Zurabishvili, who has split with legislators and party leaders in support of protesters who took to the streets en masse.

The Georgian Dream party insists the new law was needed to ensure transparency in the country's political scene and to protect its sovereignty, while the government has denied heavy-handed tactics were used against demonstrators.

The law is modeled on a similar measure in Russia, which was initially passed in 2012 and has been gradually expanded and toughened to encompass civil society groups, human rights activists, media organizations, and others. The law has forced the closure of dozens of organizations and individuals in Russia, and forced activists and reporters to flee the country.

In its statement, titled Promoting Accountability for Serious Human Rights Abuse And Anti-Democratic Actions In Georgia, the State Department said more than 60 others will also face new sanctions, including steps to impose visa restrictions on the individuals and family members "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia."

The individuals include senior government and municipal figures "who abused their power to restrict the fundamental freedoms of the Georgian people, business leaders involved in corrupt practices, persons who have spread disinformation and promoted violent extremism, members of law enforcement who were involved in the beating of protesters, and members of parliament who played a critical role in advancing undemocratic legislation and restricting civil society."

"The violence perpetuated...included the brutal beatings of many attendees of the nonviolent protests against the new foreign influence law, including Georgian citizens and opposition politicians," the State Department said.

"Kharazishvili is well known for his punitive actions against political opponents and has been personally involved in the physical and verbal abuse of protesters," it added.

The United States has said it is reviewing its bilateral relations with Georgia -- which has long received the support of Washington -- and the EU has also assailed the party's actions and has said moves such as the foreign agent law would negatively affect the country’s hopes of joining the bloc.