US sanctions Georgian officials for undermining democracy

Washington has announced tough new financial restrictions and travel bans on senior figures in the Georgian government following its violent crackdown on protests over a Russian-style “foreign agent” law.

In a statement issued Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department designated two senior law enforcement officers, Chief of the Special Task Department Zviad Kharazishvili and his deputy, Mileri Lagazauri, as complicit in “serious human rights abuse.”

The pair stand accused of leading security forces that used force against protesters and abducted opposition figures during peaceful demonstrations in May. Kharazishvili admitted on camera to journalists that he kept a “list” of “scoundrels” to be assaulted.

Also facing sanctions are two prominent figures associated with far-right Georgian media outlet Alt-Info, which has called for attacks on pro-democracy crowds, journalists and the LGBTQ+ community.

At the same time, the U.S. State Department confirmed it will impose visa restrictions on more than 60 Georgians and their families due to their complicity in “undermining democracy in Georgia.” The list, which has not been published, is said to include government officials “who abused their power to restrict the fundamental freedoms of the Georgian people.”

“Today’s action underscores our concern about the consequences of anti-democratic actions in Georgia and efforts by key individuals to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith.

The EU has frozen Georgia’s application to join the bloc over a package of legislation that would brand Western-backed NGOs and media outlets as “foreign agents” and effectively outlaw public representations of same-sex relationships. Brussels has stopped short of imposing its own sanctions, however.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.