Fact Sheet 7031c Designations of Georgian Officials
Fact Sheet 7031c Designations of Georgian Officials
Fact Sheet 7031c Designations of Georgian Officials
Fact Sheet
7031c Designations of Georgian Officials
5 April 2023
Who are the designated individuals?
- Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze
Are these sanctions?
- These are visa designations under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2023 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that prevent these individuals (and their immediate family members) from entering the U.S. based on credible information that those identified are involved in significant corruption.
What are the repercussions?
- Those designated and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.
Should we expect more designations or sanctions?
- The United States does not preview designations or sanctions.
Are designated individuals banned from the United States for the rest of their lives or for a set period of time?
- There is no time limit on these designations. Section 7031(c) does authorize waivers of, and exceptions that may permit an individual to travel under certain circumstances.
What are specific examples of the individuals’ corruption?
- The Secretary of State has credible information that the individuals designated were involved in significant corruption related to their current and former judicial positions. Their corruption undermined rule of law and democratic processes in Georgia.
Where did the United States obtain this information?
- Information is gathered from a variety of sources, including open sources. Credible information was obtained that the judges abused their public positions by participating in corrupt activity that undermined judicial and public processes, offered benefits to and/or coerced judges to decide cases in favor of political allies, and manipulated judicial appointments to their benefit.
Will you share your evidence with the Prosecutor’s Office to facilitate prosecutions?
- The information we have gathered meets the required standards under U.S. law to deny them entry to the United States. It is up to the authorities in Georgia to investigate corruption in its own country.
Why are these designations being made now?
- President Biden said at the recent Summit for Democracy, countering corruption and strengthening the rule of law are important for each democracy around the world. The Department of State will continue to use this authority and all appropriate tools to combat corruption globally.