Riot police storm demonstrators after passing the “Foreign Agents” bill
Protests outside Georgia’s parliament have intensified following the passage of a “foreign agents” bill on Tuesday, which has been condemned as an act of Kremlin-inspired repression.
After police used tear gas on a crowd of several thousand people, many demonstrators were treated by medical workers, while police squads took some people away.
Violence spread inside the chamber, with more than a dozen MPs fighting and one MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party violently staggering towards main opposition leader Levan Khabeishvili when he was stopped by security. .
Under the law, media organizations and civil society organizations in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad must register as “organizations serving the interests of foreign powers.”
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A number of demonstrators were treated by medics after teargas was used by police on a crowd of a few thousand people, while squads of police dragged some individuals away.
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The violence spread into the chamber, with a dozen MPs fighting and one MP, from the governing Georgian Dream party, being held back by security guards as he violently lurched at the chair of the main opposition, Levan Khabeishvili.
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Under the legislation, media or civil society groups in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad will have to register as “organisations serving the interests of a foreign power”.
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important events
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James C. O’Brien said the new law passed would “tear apart” Georgia’s partnership with the United States.
He added that it is clear that there will be consequences if the law comes into force.
O’Brien said that if there is violence against peaceful protesters, the United States will consider imposing financial and travel restrictions on those responsible.
Petre Tskarishvili, secretary-general of the main opposition United National Movement and a former member of Georgia’s parliament, said October’s election will be a “basically a referendum” for Georgians to decide what direction they want to take. He said it was time to make a decision. reported the BBC.
“What are the aspirations of the Georgian people? European integration, Russian-style law, or this government that is enacting and proposing laws that imitate Russian-style authoritarianism?”
Tsikalishvili added: “The president can veto this bill, but only a simple majority is needed to override it in the coming weeks, so disruption in the streets, protests and rallies will be the last.” It will last until the moment,” he added.
British Europe Secretary Nusrat Ghani said the situation in Georgia was “shocking” and said: “As friends of Georgia, we call for calm and restraint on all sides.”
Prime Minister Ghani said in a statement: “Today, the Georgian parliament once again voted in support of the Transparency of Foreign Influences Act. Like our partners, the UK strongly opposes the introduction of this legislation.
“This bill and its accompanying systematic intimidation of protesters are not consistent with the democratic values of NATO member states and risk fundamentally derailing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
“As I said when I spoke to the Georgia Ambassador earlier today, we are watching with deep concern. I am now calling on the Georgia government to reverse course and withdraw this bill. I strongly urge you.”
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that Lithuania stands with the Georgian people.
“No one has the right to take away your European dream,” he wrote to X.
Dear Georgian people, we hear your voice and join you in the fight for Europe’s future. #Georgia.
No one has the right to take away your European dream.
No one has the right to silence people’s will to live according to 🇪🇺 values.
— Gitanas Nauseda (@GitanasNauseda) May 14, 2024
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Dear Georgian people, we hear your voice and join you in the fight for Europe’s future. #Georgia.
No one has the right to take away your European dream.
No one has the right to silence people’s will to live according to 🇪🇺 values.
— Gitanas Nauseda (@GitanasNauseda) May 14, 2024
Below is my colleague Lili Bayer’s explanation of the reasons behind the protests.
daniel boffey
Riot police who violently pushed demonstrators away from in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi have retreated.
Protesters cheered and blew whistles as police suddenly retreated to the Capitol.
It is not clear why the officers were removed from the streets just hours after using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
However, the demonstration grew significantly in size over the past two hours, nearing the end of the working day.
Georgian politicians clashed in parliament on Tuesday ahead of a vote on a controversial “foreign agents” bill that would require organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign influence agents.
Riot police storm demonstrators after passing the “Foreign Agents” bill
Protests outside Georgia’s parliament have intensified following the passage of a “foreign agents” bill on Tuesday, which has been condemned as an act of Kremlin-inspired repression.
After police used tear gas on a crowd of several thousand people, many demonstrators were treated by medical workers, while police squads took some people away.
Violence spread inside the chamber, with more than a dozen MPs fighting and one MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party violently staggering towards main opposition leader Levan Khabeishvili when he was stopped by security. .
Under the law, media organizations and civil society organizations in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad must register as “organizations serving the interests of foreign powers.”
