The US will ban visas for about 20 Georgians responsible for “undermining democracy in Georgia“, including ministers, lawmakers and security officials, the State Department announced yesterday, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The statement from the department did not specify the names of the government officials who will be banned from receiving visas to the US.
Since protests broke out in Georgia almost two weeks ago against the decision of the ruling “Georgian Dream“ party to postpone the former Soviet republic's long-standing goal of joining the European Union, hundreds of people have been arrested in Georgia.
“The US categorically condemns the “Georgian Dream“ party "due to the continued, brutal and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, media representatives, human rights defenders and opposition figures," the State Department said.
The statement added that the department "is preparing additional actions, including sanctions, to hold accountable those who undermine democracy in Georgia."
Pro-European demonstrations in Georgia, which gather several thousand people every night in Tbilisi, entered their third week last night without causing a change of power and two days before indirect presidential elections, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
This Caucasian country has been plunged into a political crisis after parliamentary elections on October 26, won by the ruling "Georgian Dream" party, but contested as tainted by irregularities by the pro-European opposition.
Furthermore, the government has been accused by its detractors of abandoning the country's ambitions to join the EU.
Last night, despite the cold and wind, several thousand people gathered again in front of the parliament in Tbilisi for the 15th consecutive night. Many demonstrators waved EU and Georgian flags, while others blocked traffic on the main boulevard, AFP journalists noted.
“Our demonstration will last as long as necessary so that “Georgian Dream“ is overthrown“, said one of the participants – Rusiko Dolidze, 42, told AFP.
We will not allow a handful of Russian lackeys to steal our European future,“ he added, as the Georgian government was accused of playing Russia's game.
Anti-government rallies were also held in several cities in Georgia, including Batumi, Kutapsi and Zugdidi, local media reported.
A new peak in tensions is expected on Saturday, when “Georgian Dream“ will install former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right politician loyal to the government, as president.
A demonstration has already been announced for Saturday morning in front of parliament, where an electoral college controlled by the “Georgian Dream“ will have to elect him through an indirect vote boycotted by the opposition.
The current president, Salome Zurabishvili, who supports the demonstrators, has only limited powers and is in conflict with the government. She has announced that she will refuse to hand over her mandate until new parliamentary elections are organized.
“Regardless of whether they try to throw Salome out of the presidential palace, we will all rise up to defend her,“ 23-year-old Otar Turnava assured AFP – participant in the pro-European demonstrations.
“She is the only legitimate leader we have had since “Georgian Dream“ stole the elections and she will take us to the European Union“, Turnava wants to believe.
In the past two weeks, several demonstrations have been dispersed by police with water cannons and tear gas, and several opposition leaders and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested.