McCain Institute, Bush Center, Freedom House urge sanctions on Georgian officials

In a joint statement on Thursday, the McCain Institute, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and Freedom House have called on the United States and its European allies to immediately impose travel restrictions and financial sanctions against individuals “responsible for undermining Georgia’s democratic development in favor of authoritarianism”.

The organizations specifically highlighted high-ranking Georgian Dream officials and their families as targets for these sanctions, after the Georgian Parliament earlier this month passed the controversial foreign influence bill with its final reading before presidential veto. Per protocol, Parliament will initially vote on the president’s motivated remarks. Should they be dismissed, a subsequent vote on the bill passed in three readings, requiring at least 76 supporters, will determine whether the veto is overridden.

The constitution does not stipulate a timeframe for Parliament to decide on overriding or accepting a veto once it’s been issued. Despite widespread protests in Georgia against the bill and significant criticism from partner states urging its rejection, the ruling majority of Georgian Dream passed the “Bill on Transparency of Foreign Influence” in its third reading on March 14, securing 84 votes.

The bill designates non-governmental and media organizations whose income exceeds 20 percent from abroad as entities serving the interests of a foreign power. They are required to register in a specialized registry and submit financial declarations annually, with failure resulting in a 25, 000 GEL fine upon first offense.