USA imposes sanctions against Georgian citizens over “undemocratic laws”

Illustrative photo. Source: georgiaembassyusa.org

More than 60 Georgian citizens, including representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, have been placed under U.S. personal sanctions. The relevant statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken was published on the official website of the U.S. government on September 16.

It is noted that the U.S. is imposing a broad array of sanctions against several officials in the Georgian government. The State Department is also taking additional steps to introduce visa restrictions on more than 60 Georgian citizens and their family members, "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia."

Among these individuals are members of parliament "who played a critical role in advancing undemocratic legislation and restricting civil society".

Georgia's ruling party linked the sanctions to the upcoming parliamentary elections, calling them "interference in the electoral process".

As reported by the UOJ, the Georgian parliament unanimously passed a law banning "LGBT propaganda" in Georgia, which the EU urged to be revoked.

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