Georgians 'March For Europe' Against 'Russian-Style Foreign Agents Law'

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on April 28 to again protest plans by the ruling party to introduce a law that domestic critics and Western countries say will be used to crack down on independent voices in the South Caucasus nation.

A video grab shows tens of thousands of Georgians who rallied late into the night of April 28–29, demanding that the government withdraw the controversial "foreign agents" bill.

The protests were a continuation of several weeks of rallies led by opposition parties and activist groups against the parliament’s advancement of the controversial draft law, which was passed in a first reading on April 17. 

People embrace beside a security cordon near the parliament building.

The ruling Georgian Dream party announced its plans to reintroduce the bill after a previous version was dropped in 2023. This new version omits the phrase "foreign agent."



 

EU officials have said that if Georgia adopts the bill as law, it would disrupt the nation’s membership hopes.

The government withdrew the bill introduced last year due to widespread protests against the proposal. The law would require organizations with foreign funding to register their activities, give the authorities broad oversight powers, and allow criminal penalties for vague infractions.

A woman attends the protest earlier in the day on April 28. 

Supporters of the bill say it mirrors similar U.S. legislation and promotes transparency. Opponents say the proposed legislation would stifle dissent and silence independent media. They have compared it to similar legislation in Russia, which is why many call it the "Russian law." 

Another protester carries both a Georgian and an EU flag near the parliament building.

The final reading of the bill is scheduled to be debated on May 17. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili told media that she will veto it if it’s approved in its final reading. However, she also said the ruling Georgian Dream party has enough lawmakers to override her decision if she does so.

Another protester smells a rose as she attends the rally.

Zurabishvili said her major concern is the fact that the bill is "exactly a copy of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's law."

The protest extended into the early morning of April 29 with many singing Georgian and European Union anthems while holding national flags and EU banners.

Protesters hold up signs that say, "Yes to Europe" and "No to Russian law."

Medics flush the eyes of protestors who were exposed to tear gas.

Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds after they broke through security lines near the parliament building around midnight.

The parliament's press center announced that only journalists from accredited TV stations would be allowed inside the building, while online and print media journalists would not be allowed to work in parliament due to "security" reasons.