The US State Department announces that it will impose visa sanctions on 60 Georgian citizens – government, business and law enforcement officials – for “undermining democracy” in Georgia.
“We are still concerned about the violation of human rights and anti-democratic actions in Georgia,” – the statement of Anthony Blinken about this is spread by the US State Department.
“The United States of America imposed sanctions on two officials of the Georgian government – the head of the Department of Special Tasks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Zviad “Khareba” Kharazishvili, and one of his deputies, Miller Lagazauri – during peaceful protests against the “Foreign Influence Law” for a violent response to human rights violations. Also, we impose sanctions on two Georgian leaders of the extremist group, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, for serious violations of human rights, including violent attacks on Georgians who exercised their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement said.
Also, the US State Department is taking additional measures in order to impose visa restrictions against more than 60 Georgians and their family members who participated in digging the roots of democracy in Georgia
“Among them are government and municipal officials who abused their power to limit the fundamental freedoms of the Georgian people, businessmen involved in corruption, individuals who spread disinformation and promote violent extremism, law enforcement officers who participated in the beating of demonstrators, and members of parliament who played a crucial role in the promotion of undemocratic legislation and restriction of civil society”, – it is mentioned in the statement.
In addition, according to Anthony Blinken, the State Department is concerned about the violation of human rights and anti-democratic actions in Georgia and will continue to consider additional measures in response.
“The United States supports the right of Georgians to assemble, express and peacefully protest without fear of violence, intimidation and suppression,” says Anthony Blinken.
