Discussion of the law on “foreign agents” in Georgia will take place on April 17
Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
The Parliament of Georgia postponed the vote on the bill “On the transparency of foreign influence” from April 16 to 17. Critics consider it an analogue of the Russian law on so-called foreign agents. The reason for postponing the meeting was said to be the discussion that lasted until the evening.
Deputies of the ruling Georgian Dream party will presumably approve the document in the first reading at a session on Wednesday, notes Echo of the Caucasus.
The discussion in parliament on October 16 took place against the backdrop of an ongoing protest of many thousands against the law in Tbilisi. The police used tear gas against the participants of the rally in front of the Georgian parliament. There are victims, among them the leader of the “Girchi – More Freedom” party Zurab Japaridze. Several people were detained.
On April 15, the document was supported by the relevant committee of the Georgian parliament. Protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi. Detentions were reported.
Protest organizers said the rally would continue until the ruling party abandons attempts to pass a law that protesters call anti-democratic and anti-European.
Last year, the ruling party already tried to pass the law “On Transparency of External Influence,” but was forced to vote against its own bill in the second reading after mass protests and clashes on Rustaveli Avenue.
