Tbilisi Mayor Kaladze absent from US Embassy Independence Day celebration

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze was notably absent from the United States Embassy’s 4th of July Independence Day celebration on Wednesday.  According to the press center of Tbilisi City Hall, Kaladze, who also serves as the Secretary General of the ruling party Georgian Dream,”was unable to attend due to his absence from Georgia.

The event, hosted by US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan and Defense Attaché Colonel Joseph Bilbo, saw a large turnout of guests. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, several government members, and Georgian Dream parliamentarians were among the attendees, along with opposition politicians and dozens of other guests.

 

The presence of certain government officials at the event raised questions among attendees and the media. This comes in the wake of the United States State Department’s recent announcement of visa restrictions against individuals who “undermine democracy in Georgia.” 
The restrictions were a response to the Georgian government’s adoption of the controversial foreign influence transparency law although the US government has not disclosed specific names.

Despite the speculation, the press center of Tbilisi City Hall clarified that Mayor Kaladze was not in the country, thus explaining his absence from the celebration.