A rally of thousands took place in Tbilisi against the law on foreign agents

Protests continue in Georgia against the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence,” which the opposition calls an analogue of the Russian law on foreign agents. On the night of April 18, rallies took place in several Georgian cities, including Tbilisi and Batumi.

In the capital on the streets came out about 15 thousand people. The police did not interfere with them, but detained two protesters. “During the rally, protesters used violence several times,” asserts Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. According to the department, the detainees did not obey police demands, and a bladed weapon was confiscated from one of them.

Late in the evening, the opposition issued an ultimatum to the authorities: to withdraw the bill within an hour. This requirement was not met. Then the protesters, demanding a meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, went to his office. According to local media reports, rally participants blocked exits from the building, and some tried enter it.

In Batumi, several hundred people marched through the streets, chanting “No to Russian law.” They carried posters and flags of Georgia and the European Union.

“The third night of a worthy protest against the adoption of the Russian law! On the one hand, the people of Georgia, on the other, 83 deputies who voted against our European future. The people always win!”, – wrote Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on social network X. Previously, she promised veto the bill if it is passed by parliament. The ruling party has enough mandates to bypass the veto.

Commenting on the protests, at which 11 people and several were detained the previous night beat up, Kobakhidze called them “absurd” and deprived the participants of the rallies of their subjectivity. “Part of society is brought to Rustaveli and forced to make a demand – we don’t want to know who spends the money on what. This is an absurdity and a paradox,” stated Kobakhidze.

Yesterday, April 17, the bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” was adopted in the first reading. The opposition boycotted the vote. The bill provides for the registration of non-governmental organizations and media that receive 20% of their income from abroad as “agents of foreign influence.”

Human rights activists considerthat because of this law, organizations “hated by the authorities” will be forced to close, not wanting to bear the “offensive label.”