MMA star Topuria joins protesters in Tbilisi

The 27-year-old Topuria, who was crowned UFC champion in the 65.8 kg category a couple of months ago, is one of many sports stars who support his country’s bid to join the European Union (EU).

Topuria was born in Germany, but in the international ring he participates as a representative of Georgia and Spain.

In the vote boycotted by the opposition, the deputies of the ruling party “Georgia’s Dream” voted for the adoption of the draft law in the first reading with 83 votes for and none against. “Georgian Dream” controls 84 out of 150 seats in the parliament and can pass this bill without opposition support.

Opponents of the bill refer to it as “Russia’s law” and argue that passing the law would prevent Georgia from realizing its goal of joining the EU, which last year granted the country long-coveted candidate status.

Thousands of people have gathered in front of the parliament in recent days, chanting “No to Russian law!” and blocking traffic on the main highway of the Georgian capital.

Similar to Topuria, several players of the national football team of Georgia, who for the first time in history led the national team to the final tournament of the European Championship, have also acted. The captain of the men’s basketball team, Tornike Šengelija, is also concerned about his country’s progress towards the EU.

The EU has called on Tbilisi not to accept the bill, saying it runs counter to the democratic reforms the country must undertake to move towards EU membership. The President of the European Council Charles Michel stated that the draft law moves Georgia away from the EU instead of bringing it closer to it.