US suspends $95M in aid to Georgia over foreign agent law that sparked protests

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday suspended $95 million in U.S. aid to Georgia after Congress legislation regarding foreign agents which critics say was inspired by a Russian law used to crush political dissent and sparked weeks of protests. mass protests.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had decided to pause Georgian aid, which would directly benefit the government, following a review of the aid he ordered in May after the law was passed. He said he had taken the action in response to the “anti-democratic” actions taken by the government.

The US has also already imposed measures visa bans against a number of Georgian politicians and law enforcement officials for suppressing freedom of expression, especially voices supporting Georgia’s integration with the West.

“The Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions and false statements are inconsistent with EU and NATO membership standards,” Blinken said in a statement released as he flew from Singapore to Mongolia in late August. a six-country tour of Asia.

Despite the suspension, Blinken said the US would continue to fund programs in Georgia that promote democracy, the rule of law, independent media and economic development.

“We remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” he said, noting that the US has provided more than $6.2 billion in aid to Georgia over the past three decades, since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union.

The Georgian parliament passed the legislation in May, overturning current law. a veto by the presidentThe law requires media and non-governmental organizations to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

Critics say it closely resembles legislation used by the Kremlin to silence opponents and will hamper implementation of the reform. Georgia’s attempt to join the EU.