On Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials and two members of the country's pro-Russian far-right movement,

accusing them of involvement in violent crackdowns on protests.

Large protests erupted in Georgia earlier this year over a controversial "foreign agent" law, passed by the country's parliament in May despite widespread criticism. Many, including U.S. officials, condemned the law as authoritarian and inspired by the Kremlin.

The U.S. Treasury statement announced sanctions targeting Zviad Kharazishvili, Chief of the Special Task Department, and his deputy Mileri Lagazauri. Both officials oversaw security forces that violently suppressed the protests.

"The Special Task Department's actions included the brutal beatings of many participants in the non-violent protests against the new foreign influence law, including Georgian citizens and opposition politicians," the Treasury said, adding that Kharazishvili was personally involved in the abuse.

The sanctions also target Konstantine Morgoshia, founder of the media company Alt-Info, and media personality Zurab Makharadze. Treasury accused them of spreading disinformation, hate speech, and threats through their platform.

The protests and controversy surrounding the "foreign agent" law have been viewed as a key test of Georgia’s geopolitical direction. For three decades, Georgia has been considered one of the more pro-Western former Soviet states, but the law raised concerns that the country might shift closer to Russia.

The ruling Georgian Dream party, which controls parliament, defended the law, claiming it was necessary to ensure transparency in foreign funding of NGOs and to protect the nation's sovereignty.

Washington has been a vocal critic of the legislation and has since launched a review of its cooperation with Georgia. The Biden administration previously imposed visa bans on members of the Georgian Dream party, lawmakers, law enforcement, and private citizens in response to the law and the ensuing protests. Photo by DerFuchs, Wikimedia commons.