Georgian security forces intervene against protesters surrounding parliament building

Thousands of demonstrators gather around the parliament building in reaction to the bill’s passage in the second vote

Security forces intervened against demonstrators protesting the draft law on “foreign agents” and attempting to encircle the parliament building.

In the capital, Tbilisi, demonstrations against the draft law on “transparency of foreign influence,” submitted by the government to the parliament, persisted into the night.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered around the parliament building in reaction to the bill’s passage in the second vote.

When some demonstrators attempted to encircle the heavily secured building, security forces intervened using tear gas and water cannons.

Demonstrators threw various objects at the police teams stationed in the inner courtyard of the parliament building.

Protesters who tried to erect barricades ignited a fire in front of the main entrance of the building.

As protests continued before the parliament, some demonstrators sought to block traffic on various city roads.

Source: AA

Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Alexandre Darakhvelidze also took notice of the incidents during the protests.

Accusing the protesters of attempting to enter the parliament building without permission, Darakhvelidze stated that seven police officers were injured in the last two days.

The bill on “transparency of foreign influence,” submitted to parliament by the ruling Georgian Dream Party, passed a second vote on May 1.

In the vote held during the Plenary Session of Parliament, 83 deputies supported the bill submitted by the ruling party, while 23 deputies voted against it. The bill had also been approved in the first vote earlier.

The bill requires approval three times in parliament to become law.

Parliamentary majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze stated over a month ago that over 90% of non-governmental organizations (NGO)’s financing in Georgia is not transparent.

Mdinaradze mentioned that it was impossible to obtain transparent information about financing provided by international financial institutions to organizations such as NGOs and media in Georgia, leading them to reintroduce the draft law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence.”

Stating that the draft law’s content remains the same as last year’s draft, Mdinaradze noted that the term “organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power” will be used instead of “foreign influence agent.”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the government works openly and transparently and emphasized that all NGOs operating in the country should also work transparently.

The ruling Georgian Dream Party initially submitted the draft law on “transparency of foreign influence” to parliament in March 2023.

The bill would require Georgian organizations receiving over 20% of their funding abroad to register as “foreign agents” or face fines.

Opponents and President Salome Zurabishvili demanded the bill repeal, claiming it was drafted on Russia’s instructions.

While the opposition launched demonstrations for the bill’s repeal, scuffles broke out between parliament deputies, and protests were organized on the streets of Tbilisi.

With the escalation of demonstrations, the Georgian Dream Party withdrew the draft law, which had received preliminary approval in parliament.

Source: AA