The Georgian Parliament finally adopted the scandalous law on “foreign agents”, because of which massive street protests are taking place in the country.
This law is also called pro-Russian, and protesters regard it as a threat to democratic freedoms and the desire to join the European Union.
A protest rally of many thousands on Tuesday, May 14, in Tbilisi near the parliament building is accompanied by brutal detentions of people, writes Echo of the Caucasus. Security forces reportedly used pepper spray against rally participants.
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The media reported that Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs officers occupied the area in front of the parliament building, detaining demonstrators.
What is known about the adoption of the law on “foreign agents” in Georgia
The Georgian Parliament approved the bill on transparency of foreign influence in the third and final reading. He was supported by 84 deputies, 30 — opposed. Now the law on “foreign agents” will be sent to the President of Georgia for signature.
Earlier, Salome Zurabishvili stated that she would veto him. But some observers note that the ruling Georgian Dream party has enough votes to override the veto.
According to the Constitution of Georgia, the president signs and publishes the law within two weeks or returns it to parliament with reasoned comments. If, after overcoming the veto, the president does not sign the law, then it is signed and published by the speaker of parliament.
The day before, the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Parliament of Georgia in 67 seconds considered and supported in the third reading the bill on “foreign agents”.
New protests in Tbilisi
A series of street protests in Georgia against the adoption of the law on “foreign agents” continues from March 7. On some days, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated. In particular, fact checkers from Visioner indicated that at least 200 thousand people were present at the anti-government protest on May 12 “, but overall during the day their number was probably close to 300 thousand”
Natia Seskuria, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, believes that no force will stop these protests.
— The people of Georgia will rally against this law as long as necessary, — she told the BBC, adding that the new law poses an existential threat to the country's survival.
On May 14, several thousand protesters gathered near the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi. Security forces occupied the area in front of the parliament building, detaining demonstrators.
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs states that the rally went beyond the norms and became violent. Before this, the protesters damaged the protective iron barrier installed near the parliament building.
Detentions are also reported, but the exact number of detainees is still unknown. According to media reports, among those detained at the protest — activist Lazare Grigoriadis, who participated in rallies in 2023 against this law and was pardoned by the Georgian president in April.
Some media write that security forces moved towards parliament in columns with water cannons. Over loudspeakers, demonstrators are called upon to disperse or force will be used against them. Protesters greet law enforcement officers with their hands raised.
According to the Georgian project Sova, one person was detained when he wrote graffiti on the facade of parliament This country is ours. It is noted that the crowd of demonstrators are chanting slaves and go away, addressing the ruling party.
The participants of the action do not plan to disperse. They say they will continue protests demanding the repeal of the law on foreign agents.
