US imposes visa restrictions on Georgia over "foreign agent" law

The US has decided to impose travel restrictions on a number of Georgian citizens in connection with the approval of the "Foreign Influence Transparency" law in Georgia. According to Armenpress, this was stated by the spokesperson of the US State Department, Matthew Miller. "The US remains deeply concerned about the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian Dream party and its recent statements and rhetoric... We are taking steps to impose visa restrictions on dozens of Georgian citizens," Miller said during the briefing. He recalled that due to the policy of the Georgian authorities, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced to review the bilateral cooperation between Washington and Tbilisi. "The restrictions will apply to democracy in Georgia. the persons responsible for the undermining, as well as their close relatives... The first phase of visa restrictions applies to members of the Georgian Dream party, members of the Georgian Parliament, law enforcement officers and private individuals," the representative of the State Department explained. Miller added, that the US calls for the repeal of the "Foreign Influence Transparency" law in Georgia. But if they do not do so, the US is ready to take additional actions," Miller emphasized. Last week, the Georgian parliament overcame the president's veto on the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law with a majority of votes. The Speaker of the Parliament signed the law in early June. The law provides that non-governmental organizations and mass media, which receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad, will be registered as organizations "pursuing the interests of a foreign power". Georgian authorities report that the law is designed to ensure the transparency of NGO financing. The adoption of the law in Georgia became the occasion for thousands of demonstrations.