US Imposes Sanctions and Visa Bans on Georgians Due to Protest Crackdowns, Reports Reuters

By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON – On Monday, the United States announced new sanctions and visa bans targeting individuals in Georgia. The actions include financial penalties against two government officials and two members of a pro-Russian far-right movement accused of participating in violent crackdowns on protests.

These protests erupted in Georgia during the spring, largely in response to a controversial "foreign agent" law passed by the parliament in May. The legislation faced significant criticism, including from U.S. officials, who described it as influenced by Kremlin tactics and indicative of authoritarianism.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the financial sanctions specifically named Zviad Kharazishvili, Chief of the Special Task Department, and his deputy, Mileri Lagazauri, both of whom were involved in the violent suppression of protesters. The Treasury stated that the actions of the Special Task Department included severe beatings of peaceful protesters, including Georgian citizens and opposition politicians, with Kharazishvili allegedly playing a direct role in the abuse.

The sanctions also extend to Konstantine Morgoshia, founder of a media company known as Alt-Info, and media personality Zurab Makharadze, both accused of spreading disinformation and promoting hate speech.

Additionally, the State Department has implemented new visa restrictions on over 60 individuals in Georgia, including government officials, business leaders, and law enforcement personnel implicated in the violence against protesters, along with their family members.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not name those affected by the visa bans but indicated that the steps were taken against those undermining democracy.

The Biden administration has previously imposed visa restrictions on various members of the Georgian Dream party, as well as other officials and citizens involved in the controversy surrounding the law and subsequent protests.

The debate over the foreign agents legislation represents a critical moment for Georgia, a nation that has been largely pro-Western since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, as it faces pressure to either strengthen its ties with the West or draw closer to Russia.

The ruling Georgian Dream party argues that the law is necessary to ensure transparency in foreign funding for NGOs and to safeguard national sovereignty. However, Washington has long criticized this legislation and has started a review of its diplomatic relations with Georgia.