TBILISI, September 17 – Leaders of Georgia’s biggest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), met in Washington with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson today to renew efforts to lobby for the MEGOBARI Act, a sanctions bill targeting ruling-party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. UNM chair Tina Bokuchava, secretary general Petre Tsiskarishvili, and senior figure Levan Sanikidze launched … Read more
TBILISI, September 11 – A senior Georgian official has welcomed news that a controversial U.S. bill targeting the country’s government is unlikely to pass in the Senate, while fiercely criticizing opposition figures who testified against Georgia in Washington. The stalled MEGOBARI Act would increase U.S. sanctions on Georgia if democratic backsliding continued, while offering defense … Read more
TBILISI, August 28 – Tbilisi has called on Washington to reset relations, even as a sanctions package targeting Georgian officials hangs in limbo in the U.S. Congress. Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili recently met with U.S. chargé d’affaires Alan Purcell. The Georgian government presented the meeting as a discussion on renewing the strategic partnership on “mutual … Read more
TBILISI, August 28 – Georgia is facing international criticism after a Tbilisi court froze the bank accounts of seven major civil society groups, citing an ongoing investigation into alleged “sabotage” and material support for violent unrest. Prosecutors say the NGOs helped fund protective gear and supplies for demonstrators during last year’s clashes outside parliament, framing … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – Two of the opposition’s figureheads are in Washington D.C. to lobby for the U.S. Congress introducing sanctions against Georgia to force the country to adhere to democratic standards. Strong Georgia – Lelo’s leaders, Salome Samadashvili and Grigol Gegelia, travelled to Washington D.C. to meet Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw. According to the … Read more