Following the entry into force of the controversial law limiting foreign influence on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia, Washington has announced entry bans against lawmakers of the Georgian ruling party.
The sanctions initially affect between two and three dozen people, including members of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party and their family members, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Thursday.
If Georgia does not amend the law, against which there had been months of mass protests, further sanctions could follow.
The law, which was signed by the speaker of parliament on Monday, imposes stricter accountability on independent media and other civil society organizations if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
Critics fear that it will make critical reporting in the media more difficult and that, as in Russia, independent organizations will be obstructed and silenced.
The ruling Georgian Dream party justifies the law with greater transparency, saying it strengthens Georgia's sovereignty.
Miller described the law and the actions of the Georgian government as anti-democratic. This action jeopardizes Georgia's European future and is contrary to the Georgian constitution and the wishes of the people, he said.