Protesters Return to Tbilisi After Police Break Up Demonstration Against New Law

 

Thousands of protesters have returned to the centre of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, following a violent police crackdown on a demonstration against a new Russian-style law. The law would classify non-governmental and media groups as “foreign agents” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

 

Riot police broke up the initial protest, which took place on Sunday, arresting 66 people, including an opposition leader. Zurab Japaridze, who was among those detained, suffered a serious injury during his arrest, according to a public official who visited him in detention. It is reported that Mr Japaridze was hit with a baton by police.

 

Despite the police action, thousands of people returned to the streets of Tbilisi on Monday to voice their opposition to the new law. Protesters held up signs calling for the release of those who had been arrested and demanding the withdrawal of the “foreign agents” bill.

 

The Georgian government has defended the new law, saying that it is necessary to prevent foreign interference in the country’s affairs. However, many activists and opposition groups see it as an attempt to stifle dissent and limit freedom of speech.

 

The controversy surrounding the “foreign agents” bill comes amid rising tensions between Georgia and Russia. The two countries have been at odds since a brief war in 2008, and relations have deteriorated further in recent years over issues including Georgia’s bid to join NATO and Moscow’s support for separatist regions in Georgia.

 

The Georgian government has faced criticism from international organizations, including the European Union and the United Nations, over its handling of the protests and the arrests of opposition figures.

 

The situation In Tbilisi remains tense, with protesters vowing to continue their demonstrations until the new law is withdrawn and those arrested are released.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Georgian Prime Minister Denounces Controversial “Foreign Agents” Bill Amid Protests

 

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has spoken out against the controversy surrounding a proposed “foreign agents” bill, which has sparked protests across the country. The bill, which would classify non-governmental and media groups as “foreign agents” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad, has been criticized by activists and opposition groups who see it as an attempt to limit freedom of speech.

 

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, maintains that the legislation is based on US legislation from the 1930s, but many protesters have dubbed it a “Russian law” due to its similarity to a law passed by Russia in 2012.

 

Russia’s law has since been expanded to suppress Western-funded NGOs, independent media, journalists and bloggers, requiring anyone identified as a foreign agent to label their publications as such. Opponents of the Georgian bill fear that it could be used in a similar manner to silence critics of the government.

 

The controversy surrounding the bill has brought thousands of protesters to the streets of Tbilisi, with many of them being students who believe that the government is under Russian influence. The government has denied this, with Prime Minister Gharibashvili denouncing the “stir” over the bill and saying that it is necessary to prevent foreign interference in the country’s affairs.

 

However, the protests have continued, with opposition-supporting TV stations also speaking out against the proposed legislation. The European Union has also expressed concern, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warning that the bill is “incompatible with EU values and standards”.

 

The situation in Tbilisi remains tense, with protesters vowing to continue their demonstrations until the bill is withdrawn and those arrested in connection with the protests are released. The controversy has raised questions about Georgia’s relationship with Russia and its aspirations to join the European Union and NATO.