WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions on dozens of Georgian officials on Thursday in response to the establishment of a law That led to weeks of protests by critics who say it will restrict media freedom and jeopardize the country’s chances of joining the European Union.
The decision to impose travel bans on officials, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, law enforcement officers, lawmakers, private citizens and family members came three days after the speaker of Georgia’s parliament signed the measure into law after lawmakers overrode a presidential veto cancelled.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller did not identify the targets due to visa confidentiality laws, but said “several dozen” people were cited for anti-democratic activities.
“These actions threaten to derail Georgia’s European future and are contrary to the Georgian Constitution and the wishes of the people,” Miller said. He said the sanctions were a first step and that more punishments would follow unless Georgia changed course.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned against such a move after Parliament first passed the bill last month. He also said the US is reviewing all its aid to Georgia, which has provided $390 million in recent years.
On Monday, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed legislation sealing the override of a veto of the bill by President Salome Zourabichvili.
T he measures requires media, nongovernmental organizations, and other nonprofits to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
The government argued that the law is needed to stop what it sees as harmful foreign actors trying to destabilize the South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people. Many journalists and activists say its real purpose is to stigmatize them and limit debate before parliamentary elections in October.
Opponents have dismissed it as “the Russian law” because it resembles measures implemented by the Kremlin to crack down on independent news media, nonprofits and activists. They say the measure may have been prompted by Moscow to thwart Georgia’s chances of further integration with the West.