The U.S. Embassy in Georgia said it is “troubled” by the government’s Division for Combatting Hate Speech, stressing that the United States considers free speech “foundational to a functioning society” and strongly opposes “censorship and restrictive laws” used to silence disfavored voices.
The comment was provided in writing on July 28 by an Embassy spokesperson in response to questions from RFE/RL’s Georgian Service about the Interior Ministry’s “hate speech” division, the detention of journalist Vakho Sanaia over a Facebook post in a case initiated by the division, and broader concerns over freedom of speech, media freedom and the authorities’ treatment of government critics.
“The Trump Administration has been clear that the United States considers free speech to be foundational to a functioning society, and we strongly oppose censorship and restrictive laws used to silence disfavored voices,” the Embassy spokesperson said.
“As we have conveyed to Georgian counterparts, stability requires political opposition that engages with state institutions on behalf of the citizens who voted for it. Political stability enabled by a broad representation of views is part of what makes Georgia a credible partner for American investment, security cooperation, and long-term strategic engagement,” the spokesperson added.
“We are troubled by the Georgian Government’s Division for Combatting Hate Speech. The best remedy for falsehoods and fallacies is more speech, not enforced silence.”
“Hate Speech” Division
The Interior Ministry’s Division for Combatting Hate Speech, which began operating on June 1, has launched dozens of administrative cases over social media posts and comments, resulting in fines ranging from GEL 1,500 to GEL 6,000. Hearings related to the cases have become a regular feature of courts across Georgia.
In two cases initiated by the division, Tbilisi City Court ordered administrative detention. On July 22, Formula TV journalist and anchor Vakho Sanaia was sentenced to 14 days in detention over a Facebook post about Georgian Dream MPs. Two days later, doctor and prominent anti-government activist Giorgi Akhobadze was sentenced to 25 days in detention over several administrative offenses linked to statements about Georgian Dream officials and a police officer.
In both cases, courts ruled that the statements were “insulting” and ordered detention, citing previous fines for similar conduct. The rulings were widely condemned by Georgian and international rights groups and political actors.
U.S.-Georgia Relations
The U.S. Embassy’s statement marks its first major public criticism of Georgian Dream government policies since Donald Trump returned to office for a second term.
Relations between Washington and Tbilisi, once close partners, have been strained in recent years. The Georgian Dream government has repeatedly said it wants to reset ties with the United States “from a clean slate” and restore the strategic partnership through a “specific roadmap.”
The Biden administration suspended the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership in November 2024 following the government’s decision to delay EU accession talks, which triggered widespread protests. Later that year, Washington sanctioned Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. The Trump administration has not reversed those decisions.
Contacts between the two countries intensified in recent months amid visits by Georgian officials to Washington and State Department representatives to Tbilisi.
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