US State Dep Slaps Visa Restrictions on 20 Georgians

The US State Department has announced visa restrictions for around 20 Georgian citizens "for undermining democracy" in the country, Orda reports.

They will extend to ministers and deputies, law enforcement, and security service employees, as well as private individuals.

The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures.  Georgian Dream has turned away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, which the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution envisions. Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson, said.

He added that additional measures are underway.

We are preparing additional actions, including sanctions, to hold to account those who undermine democracy in Georgia.  Alongside the people of Georgia, we want to see a strong, prosperous, and democratic Georgia firmly integrated in the Euro-Atlantic community. 

Protests sparked by the halt on EU integration talks have entered their third week. Local parliament previously pushed to adopt a ban on selling pyrotechnics in the country. Protesters have used them against law enforcement.

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