- Yaroslav Lukiv & Paul Kirby
- bbc news
image source, David Muzinarishvili/EPA-EFE/RE
Riot police in Georgia fired tear gas and water cannon at crowds protesting a bill that opposition parties saw as targeting press freedom.
Thousands of people waving Georgian and European Union flags gathered outside parliament for a second night to protest against the law, which they say was inspired by Russia.
Lawmakers on Wednesday approved the second reading of the controversial “foreign agents” bill.
The EU has warned that it could undermine Tbilisi's EU membership ambitions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that she was following the events in Georgia with “great concern”. “Georgians want a European future for their country. Georgia is at a crossroads and must stay on the path to Europe,” she wrote on X.
Protesters fear the proposed foreign influence bill could be used to suppress critical voices ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.
Opponents say the measures are inspired by authoritarian laws that neighboring Russia uses to crush dissent. Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, claimed this week that Western “world war” parties are using the country as part of their conflict with Russia.
A similar authoritarian law enacted in Russia in 2012 has since been used to marginalize voices dissenting from the Kremlin, including prominent cultural figures, media organizations and civil society groups.
The bill passed second reading with a vote of 83 to 23. After third reading, the bill still needs the signature of President Salome Zurabishvili, who has vowed to veto it, but Georgian Dream has enough votes in parliament to veto her. .
The ruling party hopes to enact the law by the end of this month. If that were to happen, organizations would be required to disclose whether they receive funding from abroad.
Georgia has been rocked by weeks of protests over the issue. There were similar clashes between police and demonstrators on Rustaveli Street outside parliament on Tuesday night.
Several people were injured, including Levan Habeishvili, chairman of the main opposition party United National Movement (UNM). He posted a photo of his bruised face on social media and later appeared in parliament with his face heavily bandaged.
image source, Levan Khabeishvili/Georgian Parliament
Witnesses accused some police of physically attacking demonstrators, and EU foreign police chief Josep Borrell said they were “demonstrating peacefully against foreign influence laws”. He said he strongly condemned the violence against Georgians.
Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Darakvelidze said six police officers were injured and 63 people were arrested, complaining that “the rally turned completely violent.” He said Habeishvili was injured trying to break through a police cordon, but his party claimed he was beaten by police.
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December last year, with opinion polls showing around 80% of the population is in favor of membership.
BBC South Caucasus correspondent Reyhan Demitry said protests against the bill began in mid-April, with many Georgians worried that the government's measures would derail Georgia's path to membership. It is said that
Under the proposal, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media would be required to register as organizations that “serve the interests of a foreign power” if they receive 20% or more of their funding from foreign donors.
They can also be monitored by the Georgian Ministry of Justice and forced to share sensitive information or face steep fines of up to 25,000 Georgian lari ($9,400, £7,500). .
Many European leaders have warned that the proposed legislation is “incompatible” with European norms and values.
However, the government of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has taken a firm stand.
Kobakhidze accused the NGO of twice trying to start a revolution in Georgia, promoting “gay propaganda” and attacking the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The government insists the bill is aimed at ensuring transparency and rejects the idea that it goes against European values or that Russia is behind it.
Bidzina Ivanishvili told a rally of Georgian Dream supporters on Monday that foreign NGOs are threatening Georgia's sovereignty and that the opposition UNM will be punished for crimes against the state after this year's elections.
President Zurabichvili described the pro-government rally as a “Putin-type” event, although it has a largely ceremonial role.
Zurabichvili, who strongly opposes the Foreign Influence Bill, appealed to the Interior Ministry to stop the “unreasonable use of force” against protesters.
