US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jim Risch (R-ID), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over Georgia’s rapidly deteriorating political environment following the October 4 local elections.
“We are increasingly troubled by the Georgian government’s actions in the wake of the recent elections,” the senators said. “Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to outlaw opposition parties and imprison their leaders is an egregious and undemocratic step, underscoring that Georgian Dream has no interest in pursuing genuine political dialogue. The use of politically motivated investigations and intimidation of civil society — including individuals who have cooperated with the United States and testified before our committee — is nothing more than an attempt to silence dissent in a country with a proud tradition of democratic activism.”
The senators also denounced the government’s targeting of former US officials, calling the allegations against them “baseless.”
“Let us be clear: it is Georgian Dream, not the United States, that is undermining Georgia’s democracy and its future,” they continued. “We welcome the Department of State’s decision to summon the Georgian Ambassador over these troubling developments, and we urge the Trump Administration to carefully weigh the Georgian government’s recent actions before considering any changes to the bilateral relationship.”
Shaheen and Risch concluded by reaffirming their bipartisan commitment to the Georgian people, stating: “We stand with the people of Georgia in their pursuit of self-determination and democratic freedoms.”
