US reviews co-operation with Georgia over 'foreign agent' law

The US also says it is imposing visa restrictions over the legislation that has triggered mass protests.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionIndia ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessFuture of BusinessTechnology of BusinessWork CultureInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherUS reviews Georgia ties over 'foreign agent' law4 hours agoJaroslav Lukiv,BBC NewsShareEPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockGeorgian protesters and riot police have repeatedly clashed near the parliament building in the capital, TbilisiThe US has said it is reviewing its bilateral co-operation with Georgia over its controversial "foreign agent" law that triggered weeks of mass protests in the capital Tbilisi.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was introducing visa restrictions for individuals responsible for "undermining democracy in Georgia".

No officials were named, but they are believed to be members of the governing Georgian Dream party. The party described the US decision as "comical".

It also accused the US of "threats and blackmail" against Georgia and claimed that Washington was trying to restrict the country's independence.

Critics say the "foreign agent" law is inspired by similar legislation used in neighbouring Russia to target Kremlin critics - a claim denied by the ruling party.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c511xrg3g4eo

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