The United States has imposed a new set of sanctions on Georgian officials for allegedly using excessive force against demonstrators earlier this year. The move comes in response to Georgia’s recent adoption of an anti-foreign influence law that has been criticized by some NATO countries as Kremlin-inspired and anti-democratic.
“Today’s action underscores our concern about the consequences of anti-democratic actions in Georgia and efforts by key individuals to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims,” said Bradley T. Smith, the U.S. Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement released on Sept. 16.
The anti-foreign influence law in Georgia requires organizations receiving overseas funding to register as “organizations pursuing foreign interests.” Proponents argue that the legislation is necessary to protect the country from malign foreign influences, while critics believe it stifles free expression and harms Georgia’s chances of joining the European Union.
Before the law was passed, several Western institutions and states, including the United States, the EU, the UK, and France, had urged Georgia to reconsider, calling the legislation undemocratic and Kremlin-inspired.
Large protests in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, took place in the weeks leading up to the law’s adoption, often resulting in violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Georgian authorities have claimed that protesters instigated the violence, while Washington has accused the police of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
The sanctions target the head of Georgia’s Special Task Department, his deputy, and two individuals close to the ruling party. In addition, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian officials for engaging in human rights abuses, corrupt practices, and anti-democratic actions.
This latest action follows earlier restrictions announced in June, with the State Department also conducting a full review of its relationship with Georgia’s government. The Pentagon indefinitely postponed joint military exercises with Georgia, prompting accusations from the ruling party that the West was trying to limit Georgia’s independence.
In response to the anti-foreign influence law, Brussels suspended Georgia’s EU accession process and military assistance. The State Department also paused over $95 million in financial assistance to Georgia.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called for a reset of U.S.-Georgia relations, describing the punitive measures as counterproductive. The adoption of the law has drawn comparisons to Kremlin tactics by Western officials, who believe it signals Georgia’s alignment with Moscow.
In 2008, Russia engaged in a brief war with Georgia over the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia now recognizes as independent republics. Tbilisi and most Western nations still consider the regions part of Georgia.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream party, recently stated that Georgia was responsible for the 2008 war and should apologize to South Ossetia for instigating the conflict. He also accused former President Mikheil Saakashvili of starting the conflict at the behest of foreign powers.
Saakashvili, currently serving a prison term, has been criticized by Ivanishvili and his party, with the United National Movement condemning the remarks as serving Moscow’s interests. The U.S. State Department also weighed in, stating that Georgia should not apologize for being invaded by Russia or for the ongoing occupation of Georgian territory. Please rephrase the following sentence.
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