Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to resuming negotiations aimed at reaching a nuclear deal. In an interview with China’s CCTV news network, Araghchi emphasized that Iran is prepared to engage in “constructive negotiations” regarding its nuclear program, Azernews reports.
Month: January 2025
#SouthCaucasus
“Military-related part” of investigation into AZAL plane crash in Grozny was hidden https://t.co/eXhrLYYVcy
The “military part” of the investigation into the AZAL plane crash in Grozny has been hidden, APA’s Moscow correspondent reports citing “ВЧК-ОГПУ” Telegram…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) January 4, 2025
On December 4, the Department of Migration of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the expulsion of 91 foreign nationals from the country during November and December 2024. As announced, 25 of them participated in the ongoing protests in Tbilisi, out of which 10 had already left the country. While some individuals left voluntarily, others were deported through enforcement measures.
The department didn’t specify the countries of origin of the individuals that according to its information have been involved in the pro-EU demonstrations, but added that ten of them have already left Georgia and were subject to the administrative sanctions. As the department noted, other nationals came from a range of countries, including Iran, Algeria, India, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkmenistan.
“The Migration Department, based on 2024 data, reported the expulsion of a total of 430 foreign nationals from the country, which is a 126% increase compared to the same period last year,” the announcement added.
It has been 38 consecutive days since the pro-EU protests have erupted in Georgia, after GD’s government has aborted the EU accession talks until 2028. According to official statistics, more than 400 people have been arrested during the demonstrations, with up to 30 facing criminal charges that could see them spend years in prison.
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Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), the chairs of the Helsinki Commission, reintroduced the MEGOBARI Act on January 3, envisaging sanctions against Georgian government officials for human rights abuses and undermining democracy. The bill also tasks relevant U.S. government agencies to report to Congress about the improper influence and sanctions evasion, as well as the Russian intelligence assets in Georgia.
The bipartisan effort to pass legislation in support of democracy in Georgia comes amid the foreign policy U-turn on European integration, mounting repression by authorities, international isolation and democratic backsliding in Georgia.
The Biden administration has previously imposed sanctions and travel bans on Georgian Dream officials for a series of anti-democratic actions. This bill however, envisages further measures, such as requiring the executive branch to investigate all members of the Georgian Dream party and their immediate family members for undermining Georgian sovereignty and corruption.
Announcing the introduction of MEGOBARI Act the Chair of the Helsinki Commission Joe Wilson wrote on January 4: “It is our first priority to ensure the Georgian Nightmare comes to an end, and the Axis of Aggressors stop terrorizing the people of Georgia.”
Commenting on one of the first bills, sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans, to be introduced in the new Congress, Steve Cohen said, as quoted by the Hill: “We get sworn in in about 15 minutes, so even before being sworn in, the American congress is standing with the people of Georgia.”
Although the initial intention of the MEGOBARI Act sponsors was to pass it before the October 26 parliamentary elections, the legislation was repeatedly dropped in favor of other priorities in the final weeks of the last Congress. This time, however, the bill is expected to be pushed through.
In addition, last week Joe Wilson announced that he would also introduce “the Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act, which will prohibit U.S. recognition of the illegal dictatorial regime in Georgia” and would recognize President Zurabishvili as the only legitimate leader of Georgia until the free and fair elections are held in the country. He also invited Salome Zurabishvili to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Late last month, the Biden administration sanctioned the party’s honorary chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili, for undermining democratic processes on behalf of or for the benefit of the Russian government. Dozens of Georgian officials and other nationals have been sanctioned by the US in recent months for corruption and undermining democracy in the country.
In a letter dated December 30, 2024 addressed to the Secretary of State Nominee Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Nominee Representative Michel Waltz, Rep. Joe Wilson urged them to extend sanctions already imposed on Bidzina Ivanishvili to his immediate family members and cronies as well as to dismantle “the Georgian sanctions evasion schemes.”
Meanwhile, another bipartisan bill supporting Georgian democracy – Georgian People’s Act has been sponsored in Senate by Senators James E. Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The bill contains the requirement for the US Department of State to develop a long-term strategy toward Georgia, including review of military assistance and requiring the United States government to pause all funding that provides support to the government of Georgia.
Also Read:
- 01/01/2025- Joe Wilson Urges Sanctions Against Ivanishvili’s Immediate Family and Cronies, “Dismantling of Sanction Evasion Schemes”
- 23/10/2024 – 10 More Senators to Co-Sponsor Georgian People’s Act
- 11/07/2024 – BREAKING: U.S. MEGOBARI Act Passes Committee, Poised for House Vote
- 27/05/2024 – “MEGOBARI Act” Envisages Sanctions for Undermining, Injuring Georgian Democracy
- 27/12/2025 – BREAKING: U.S. Sanctions Bidzina Ivanishvili