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Tbilisi Protesters Clash With Police As Lawmakers Debate 'Foreign Agents' Law

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service March 02, 2023

TBILISI -- Protesters clashed with police in and outside of Georgia's parliament, as lawmakers took up a controversial "foreign agents" law that critics say will harm press freedoms and push the country toward authoritarianism.

Police detained at least 4 protesters in the demonstration March 2 in Tbilisi.
Some of the demonstrators jammed the hallways outside the committee rooms where lawmakers opened hearings on the legislation, blowing whistles and holding signs.
Others chanted "No To The Russian Law!" and "No More Traitors!"

The legislation, which is backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, would require any organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from overseas to register as "foreign agents", or face substantial fines.

Critics have drawn similarities to a Russian law that has severely restricted the work of civil society groups, NGOs, and media organizations there.

Last month, more than 60 media outlets and civil society groups vowed not to comply with the legislation if it was passed.

President Salome Zurabishvili has said she will veto the bill, although parliament can override her veto.

Both the United States and the European Union have criticized the legislation.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/32296779.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.