Georgia Reintroduces ‘Russian-Inspired’ Foreign Influence Bill, Sparking Protests

If enacted, the law would require organizations that accept funding from overseas to register as ‘foreign agents’ or face financial penalties.

Georgian pro-democracy groups activists react as they protest against a repressive "foreign influence" bill outside the parliament in Tbilisi on April 15, 2024. The revived controversial proposal, denounced by the European Union which Tbilisi aspires to join, that sparked mass demonstrations last year, would target NGOs, media organizations, and journalists who receive foreign funding. It mirrors Russia's "foreign agent" law that has been used by the Kremlin to silence dissidents. Vano Shlamov/AFP/Getty Images

Lawmakers from Georgia’s ruling party have reintroduced draft legislation aimed at combatting perceived foreign influence in the South Caucasus nation.

After a heated debate on April 15, the parliament’s legal committee approved a “foreign agents” bill, critics of which—both domestic and foreign—claim is “inspired” by Moscow.