The ruling Georgian Dream Deputy Chairman Giorgi Kakhiani, responded to the State Department's visa sanctions by questioning why only certain MPs were targeted. He noted that it's unclear if even one MP supporting the Russian Law is among those sanctioned, let alone all 84.
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"When parliament members were suspended due to the adoption of the transparency law, it is simply not clear why only one representative was included in this list. There should have been 83, because they all equally supported this law.
Of course, it's not pleasant, but I don't see a problem at all when specific individuals are condemned, from the point of view that each member of the majority has one thing in mind: to protect the interest and sovereignty of our country. There is no one who will take a step back in this fight," Kakhishvili stated, to him, the State Department's decision is unfair.
The Georgian Parliament approved the Russian Law on so-called Foreign Agents. Additionally, due to a campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents of the law, the US State Department introduced a new visa restriction policy for Georgia. On June 6, many Georgian citizens approved of this policy. The first part of the visa sanctions affected about 30 people, including members of Georgian Dream, MPs, employees of law enforcement agencies, and private individuals. The names of those sanctioned have not been made public.
At the same time, the US continues to review the financial aid intended for Georgia and is ready to impose additional sanctions. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Georgian government still has time to turn the situation around.
The parliamentary majority of Georgian Dream overcame the President's veto on May 28 and finally approved the Russian Law with the support of 84 deputies.
