The United States said Wednesday it would withhold over $95 million in assistance from the Georgian government due to an “anti-democratic” law.
The law, which was passed in June by the country’s parliament, is said to be similar to a Russian law that represses opinions of the political opposition. The law requires groups that get funding from abroad of over 20% to register as foreign agents.
The announcement to withhold the money was announced after the U.S. made visa restrictions on the country in May, following the draft of the law. Georgia accused the U.S. of “threats and blackmail” when visa restrictions were announced.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the country’s “anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO.”
He went on to say that the U.S. “will continue assistance for programs and activities that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening democracy, rule of law, independent media, and economic development.”
Over the past 32 years the U.S. has given $6.2 billion in assistance to the country, according to Blinken.
The law has been referred to as “the Russian law” by critics. Protests broke out in May when it was announced. Some were the biggest since Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union 1991.
The European Union has also opted to pause financial assistance to the country, withholding $32 million in military aid
