63 People Arrested in Tbilisi Demonstrations Against ‘Foreign Agents’ Bill

63 people were arrested in the Georgian capital Tblisi for demonstrating against a controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill. There have been demonstrations for weeks against the plan, which is said to be aimed at silencing critical groups in the country.

Thousands of demonstrators were dispersed with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and flash grenades. According to the police, the demonstration was no longer peaceful and public order had to be restored.

Georgian media reports that he was wounded and the Ministry of Interior is talking about six officers who were wounded. A demonstration also ended in violence last Monday.

The law applies to organizations that receive support from abroad. Many projects in Georgia depend on this. If more than 20 percent of their money comes from abroad, they must register as a ‘foreign agent’. The government wants to have more control over foreign influences.

The law is similar to a law introduced in Russia years ago, which has severely restricted the freedom of movement of civil society groups. In Georgia, so critics are calling the proposal ‘Russian law’.

The European Commission has reacted with disappointment to the law. In December, Georgia became a candidate member of the European Union.

The plan was also submitted last year, but again after two days of strong protests withdrawn. So now the law is on the table again. Georgia’s parliament must approve the law three times before it can be introduced. The second vote is likely to be held today, after the first vote was approved last week.