US Sanctions Georgian Officials for Alleged Violence Against Protestors

The move follows Georgia’s recent adoption of an anti-foreign influence law labeled by some NATO countries as Kremlin-inspired and anti-democratic.

Protesters barricade the entrance of the Georgian Parliament during a rally to protest against a "foreign agents" bill, in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 2, 2024. Irakli Gedenidze/Reuters

The United States has imposed a fresh raft of sanctions on Georgian officials for allegedly using excessive force against demonstrators earlier this year.

“Today’s action underscores our concern about the consequences of anti-democratic actions in Georgia and efforts by key individuals to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims,” Bradley T. Smith, the U.S. Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement released by the Treasury Department on Sept. 16.