On December 19, the United States not only imposed sanctions on Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri but also decided to implement visa restrictions.
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The United States is imposing visa restrictions on Georgian citizens and their family members, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. These restrictions include law enforcement and security personnel involved in violence against demonstrators, as well as municipal government officials who have abused their authority to restrict fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote without coercion or intimidation.
“Today’s action builds on visa actions announced last week, expands U.S. sanctions imposed on Georgian officials in September, and complements actions taken by the UK today and actions taken in recent days by several other European countries,” Miller noted.
He added that the United States strongly condemns the Georgian government’s continued, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including peaceful protesters, media representatives, human rights defenders, and opposition figures.
“We stand with the people of Georgia and remain committed to promoting accountability for those complicit in human rights abuses and undermining their democratic future,” stated Matthew Miller.
The United States imposed visa restrictions on about 20 Georgian citizens on December 12. Since June 2024, similar restrictions have been applied to more than 100 individuals and their family members associated with the Georgian Dream. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed, as visa records are confidential by law, Miller explained.
The United States began a comprehensive review of its relations with Georgia in late May 2024, following the Georgian Dream's adoption of Russian-style legislation, use of force against peaceful protests, and anti-Western rhetoric.
