The United States has imposed visa restrictions against Georgian officials, lawmakers and law enforcers for “undermining democracy” in the country, the State Department said.
“The State Department, as part of its visa restriction policy, has prohibited the issuance of visas to those responsible for or involved in undermining democracy in Georgia. The current action will apply to about 20 people, including those serving as government ministers and in parliament, law enforcement and security officials,” the department specified.
According to the report, the U.S. condemns acts of violence against protesters, human rights activists, oppositionists and journalists.
At the same time, Washington is preparing additional actions, including sanctions to bring to justice those who allegedly undermine democracy in Georgia.
In June, the United States already imposed visa restrictions against members of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party, as well as law enforcement officials. The reason for the sanctions was the law on foreign agents, adopted by the Georgian parliament in May.
Another series of protests began in Georgia on November 28, after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision to suspend the start of negotiations on Georgia's EU membership until 2028.
Every day protesters gathered in front of the parliament building and pelted it with stones, bottles, including those with a flammable mixture, and firecrackers. On the night of December 1, they started a fire. The law enforcers responded by using special equipment, in particular water cannons, and occasionally tear gas.
Parliamentary elections were held in the republic on October 26, with the Georgian Dream party winning. Four opposition parties were also elected to parliament, but they refused to recognize the results of the vote and called on supporters to protest. President Salome Zurabishvili, who helps the pro-European opposition although she is constitutionally required to be non-partisan, has also called for demonstrations.
Reprinted from https://ria.ru/
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