Georgian FM says USAID funds went to groups directly involved in politics, revolutionary efforts

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Tuesday said international foundations, including organisations now being openly discussed within the new US administration, played a significant role in funding activities linked to political unrest in Georgia.

Botchorishvili’s remarks came after Mike Benz, a former US Department of State official and the Executive Director of the Foundation For Freedom Online, on Monday commented on the mass protests held in Georgia in May 2024 over the foreign influence law, accusing Washington of applying double standards toward countries pursuing legislation similar to that of the United States.

According to Botchorishvili, certain political groups in Georgia received various forms of support through USAID and other channels, and were directly involved in political processes, including what she described as efforts to finance “revolutions” and assist in changing the government through unlawful means.

“This is exactly what the Georgian government is fighting against and continues to fight. This is unacceptable for us and contradicts the development of democracy”, the Minister said.

Benz claimed that individuals involved in the 2024 demonstrations against Georgia’s foreign influence law had been funded during the previous US administration through structures such as USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Benz argued that it is in US interests for other countries not to know who is being financed by these institutions, allowing them to influence domestic political processes without obstacles.

He also pointed to what he called “double standards”, noting that while the United States has had a foreign agents registration law in place for years, Washington criticises other countries, including Georgia, for adopting similar legislation.