Prepared by Messenger Staff
Ex-Public Defender Summoned Over Contact With OSCE Expert
Former Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili said on March 17 that he has been summoned by the State Security Service of Georgia over his communication with an expert involved in the OSCE Moscow Mechanism.
The summons comes days after the publication of a report under the mechanism that pointed to "marked democratic backsliding" in Georgia.
"Last night, an investigator from the SSSG called me and summoned me over my communication with an expert of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism," Nanuashvili said. "Is communication with an OSCE expert now forbidden for human rights defenders?"
He said his name had been mentioned on television by activist Davit Katsarava, after a short clip from a TV Pirveli interview was aired by the pro-government POSTV channel.
The report, authored by Patrycja Grzebyk and published on March 12, called for the release of people held for political reasons and the repeal of restrictive laws.
Officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party, including have rejected the report, calling it biased and politically motivated.
U.S. Adds Georgia to Visa Bond List for Short-Term Travelers
The U.S. Department of State has added Georgia to a list of countries whose citizens may be required to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 for certain short-term visas.
The decision, announced on March 18, also includes 11 other countries such as Cambodia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and Tunisia.
The requirement applies to B1 and B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel. The bond amount will range from $5,000 to $10,000, and in some cases up to $15,000, depending on the outcome of a consular interview.
Officials said paying the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be approved.
According to the State Department, the measure is aimed at reducing the number of people who overstay their visas in the United States.
With this change, the number of countries considered high risk under the program has grown to about 50.
The new rule is set to take effect on April 2.
