Protesters in Tbilisi issued an ultimatum to the government

Protests continue in Tbilisi against the adoption of the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence.” Echo of the Caucasus reported this on Wednesday, April 17.

Protesters marched to the government office building. They demand a meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the withdrawal of the scandalous bill and the release of all detainees.

Georgian telegram channels are reporting clashes between protesters and police guarding the government office.

The protests in Georgia reportedly started after the pro-Russian political party Georgian Dream reintroduced a bill on “foreign agents” in parliament. It comes a year after a similar initiative led to thousands of protests and was withdrawn. When reintroduced in the document, the term “agents of foreign influence” was replaced by “organizations promoting the interests of foreign powers.” Nothing else has changed.

The bill provides for the creation of a register of “agents of foreign influence,” which includes non-profit organizations and media outlets whose annual income comes from foreign funding of more than 20%.

Such organizations will be required to file a financial return annually, and those who attempt to evade registration or fail to file a return will face fines. In order to identify “agents of foreign influence” and verify compliance with the requirements of the law, the Ministry of Justice will conduct surveillance.

Georgia may have problems joining the European Union due to the adoption of a scandalous bill on foreign agents. This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.