Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, announced that the United States of America has implemented a new visa restriction policy on dozens of Georgian citizens.
The first tranche of visa restrictions comprises members of the Georgian Dream party, Members of Parliament, law enforcement and private citizens, from 2 to 3 dozens of individuals.
“The United States remains deeply concerned with the Georgian Dream party’s anti-democratic actions, as well as its recent statements and rhetoric. These actions risk derailing Georgia’s European future and run counter to the Georgian constitution and the wishes of its people.
“Secretary Blinken recently announced a comprehensive review of all bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia. As part of that review, the Department implemented a new visa restriction policy to address these actions under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Today, under this policy, we are taking steps to impose visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian individuals. This includes individuals responsible for or complicit in, and immediate family members of those responsible for or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia, such as by undermining freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, violently attacking peaceful protesters, intimidating civil society representatives and deliberately spreading disinformation at the direction of the Georgian government. This first tranche of visa restrictions comprises members of the Georgian Dream party, Members of Parliament, law enforcement and private citizens.
“It remains our hope that Georgia’s leaders will reconsider their actions and take steps to move forward with their nation’s long-stated democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. But if they do not, the United States is prepared to take additional actions”, said Matthew Miller.
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