On April 30, 2024, in Tbilisi, Georgia, protesters blocked the parliament building during a protest against the “Foreign Influence Transparency” bill, preventing representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party from leaving, and clashed with the police. Kachkachishvili/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Davit Kachikashvili | Anadolu | Getty Images
Riot police reportedly used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons against protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi as demonstrations against the so-called “foreign agents” bill escalated.
Clashes continued into late Tuesday night as police tried to disperse protesters, Georgia’s interior ministry said explain Blocking the entrances and exits of the country’s parliament violated demonstration laws.Interior Ministry arrests 63 people explain.
“Tbilisi is using completely unjustified, unprovoked and disproportionate force against peaceful protesters,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said in a statement. postal on social media platform X.
The bill would force NGOs, activist groups and media platforms with at least 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents.” They will also be closely scrutinized by the Georgia Department of Justice and required to share sensitive details with authorities or face hefty fines.
Law enforcement officers detained a protester during a rally against a controversial “foreign influence” bill, near parliament in Tbilisi, April 30, 2024, which Brussels warned would harm Georgia’s European aspirations.
George Alevanitze | AFP | Getty Images
On April 30, 2024, in Tbilisi, a rally was held near the Georgian Parliament to protest against a controversial “foreign influence” bill. The police used tear gas to disperse protesters near the Georgian Parliament. Undermining Georgia’s European aspirations.
George Alevanitze | AFP | Getty Images
On April 30, 2024, demonstrators rallied in Tbilisi against a controversial “foreign influence” bill that Brussels warned would harm Georgia’s European aspirations.
George Alevanitze | AFP | Getty Images
The ruling Georgia Dream party introduced the bill, which members of parliament initially signed off on earlier this month. Another vote is expected on Wednesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused NGOs of trying to start a revolution and spread propaganda in the country, while Georgia Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili Ivanishvili said on Monday that NGOs received foreign funding is a way to strengthen intelligence agencies Reuters reports. They believe the bill will increase transparency.
Opponents of the bill, including Georgian President Zurabichvili, say it will hinder media freedom and push the country further away from the European Union and closer to Russia.
Georgia becomes EU candidate at the end of 2023, but member states vote Not to start accession negotiations Meanwhile, the Foreign Agents Bill is under consideration.The United States has also been critical State Council Calling it “unbelievable” and “similar to the kind of legislation we see from the Kremlin”.
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