‘No to the Russian law!’ Georgia protesters demand a ‘European future’
7 months, 2 weeks ago

‘No to the Russian law!’ Georgia protesters demand a ‘European future’

Al Jazeera  

Tbilisi, Georgia – Crowds of protesters have been braving tear gas and water canons after more than two weeks of protest against the Georgian government’s draft law targeting civil society. US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan said in a statement on May 2 that the US government had invited Georgia’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, to high-level talks “with the most senior leaders”. “That’s an attempt to try to lure Putin and the Kremlin basically to give them a new model of Georgia, which will be a kind of offshore zone for Russian oligarchs,” says Kakachia. “That’s why we stand here with our finances, with some strength, and we will stand until the politicians withdraw the slave law they want to pass.” GD looks set to pass its law on foreign agents in a third reading on May 17, and it remains unclear whether the government or its opponents are willing to risk a dramatic showdown on the streets.

Law Georgia Europe Ukraine Russia Russian Foreign European Tbilisi Georgian Foreign Agents Ivanishvili Protesters Kakachia  law  foreign  georgia  protests  protesters  russian  future  georgian  russia  eu  demand  european  ivanishvili  gd

History of this topic

Ukraine sanctions Georgian leaders over crackdown on pro-EU protests
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Ukraine sanctions Georgian leaders over crackdown on pro-EU protests

Al Jazeera  

President Zelenskyy targets the prime minister and other Georgian Dream figures for ‘handing the country over to Putin’. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sanctioned top Georgian officials, including the prime minister and the billionaire founder of the ruling party, in a bid to halt the country’s apparent drift into Russia’s orbit. Zelenskyy announced the sanctions on Thursday after a seventh …

Georgia protests: What’s behind them and what’s next?
3 weeks ago

Georgia protests: What’s behind them and what’s next?

Al Jazeera  

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have clashed with riot police in Georgia over the past five nights in protests against the governing Georgian Dream party’s decision to suspend talks aimed at joining the European Union until 2028. It exemplifies the ruling Georgian Dream party’s pattern of democratic backsliding, state capture, rigging elections and attempts to undermine Georgia’s European aspirations.” How …

Protests lay bare a clash of values and interests as Georgia navigates a Russia-West standoff
3 weeks ago

Protests lay bare a clash of values and interests as Georgia navigates a Russia-West standoff

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia is convulsed by political upheaval again after its pro-Moscow government, fresh off parliamentary elections denounced as rigged by its critics, decided to suspend negotiations for the small former Soviet republic to join the European Union. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Moscow views the recent events in Georgia as similar to upheaval that rocked Ukraine in 2013 …

Georgia president calls for help from Europe as mass protests continue over EU talks being put on hold
3 weeks ago

Georgia president calls for help from Europe as mass protests continue over EU talks being put on hold

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “There is a very strong need for very clear …

Police in Georgia move again to disperse protests over the suspension of EU talks
3 weeks ago

Police in Georgia move again to disperse protests over the suspension of EU talks

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Police in Georgia’s capital again moved to disperse thousands of demonstrators on Monday after over 200 people were detained during four previous nights of protests against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union. Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the country’s Oct. 26 parliamentary election, widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s aspirations to …

Thousands defy police and fireworks as Georgia's pro-EU protest movement grows
Trending News
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Thousands defy police and fireworks as Georgia's pro-EU protest movement grows

Firstpost  

Tensions have been rising for months in the country of 3.7 million people between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opponents who accuse it of pursuing increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western and pro-Russian policies A law enforcement officer fires a tear gas canister as fireworks explode during a protest against the new government's decision to suspend the European Union accession talks and …

Georgia plunges towards full-on civil revolt as countless pro-EU protesters rally in Tbilisi and clash with police while re-elected prime minister DEMANDS West-aligned president steps down this month
Trending News
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Georgia plunges towards full-on civil revolt as countless pro-EU protesters rally in Tbilisi and clash with police while re-elected prime minister DEMANDS West-aligned president steps down this month

Daily Mail  

Georgia has been plunged into a full-on civil revolt as countless protesters overran Tbilisi and clashed with police in the third night of violence following the government's decision to shelve its EU accession bid. Police use tear gas to disperse Georgian opposition supporters protesting in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, 30 November 2024 Georgian opposition supporters launch …

Protesters gather for third night of demonstrations after Georgia announces suspension of EU talks
Trending News
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Protesters gather for third night of demonstrations after Georgia announces suspension of EU talks

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Protesters gathered across Georgia on Saturday night in a third straight night of demonstrations against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union. Speaking to the AP on Saturday, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said that Georgia was becoming a “quasi-Russian” state and that Georgian Dream controlled the country’s major institutions. “Georgia has been always …

Georgian Protesters And Police Clash After Prime Minister Suspends Talks On Joining The EU
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Georgian Protesters And Police Clash After Prime Minister Suspends Talks On Joining The EU

Huff Post  

Protesters pour into the streets and put fire following Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement, rallying outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Nov. 29, 2024. Police used water cannons, pepper spray and tear gas late Thursday to disperse protesters who took to the streets following the announcement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party. …

Georgian protesters and police clash after prime minister suspends talks on joining the EU
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Georgian protesters and police clash after prime minister suspends talks on joining the EU

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Police and protesters brutally clashed in Georgia after the country’s ruling party suspended negotiations to join the European Union until 2028. Police used water cannons, pepper spray and tear gas late Thursday to disperse protesters who took to the streets following the announcement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party. She said the …

Georgia’s divide: Seniors wary of angering Russia as youth want change
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia’s divide: Seniors wary of angering Russia as youth want change

Al Jazeera  

Tbilisi, Georgia - Georgia is in flux. Critics see the measure as resembling Russia's own "foreign agents" law, which is used to crack down on critics of the Kremlin. Russia's law, like Georgia's, requires those who are labelled as "foreign agents" to regularly report on their income and spending and undergo financial audits. Many among Georgia's Western-leaning younger generation view …

US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom
6 months, 2 weeks ago

US imposes travel bans on Georgian officials over new law that critics say will curb media freedom

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The United States imposed sanctions …

Georgian group says it will take controversial foreign influence law to the constitutional court
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian group says it will take controversial foreign influence law to the constitutional court

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — A non-governmental organization in Georgia said Thursday it is preparing a lawsuit in the country’s constitutional court to challenge a law that critics say will stifle news media and independent organizations. Massive demonstrations have filled the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi for weeks to protest the measure, whose foes call it “the Russian law” because of …

Hundreds of Georgian NGOs pledge to defy ‘foreign influence’ law
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Hundreds of Georgian NGOs pledge to defy ‘foreign influence’ law

Al Jazeera  

The NGOs say they’re ready to pay penalties under ‘the Russian law … which nobody will obey’. Hundreds of NGOs in Georgia have decided to defy the country’s controversial “foreign influence” law. The law requires media, NGOs and other nonprofit groups to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 percent of their …

Georgia parliament overrides president’s veto of controversial ‘foreign agents’ law
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia parliament overrides president’s veto of controversial ‘foreign agents’ law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Georgian parliament has overridden …

Georgian PM, president criticize each other over media freedom law on Independence Day
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian PM, president criticize each other over media freedom law on Independence Day

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — The president and prime minister of Georgia on Sunday lashed out at each other at a ceremony marking the country’s independence day as strong tensions persist over a law that critics say will obstruct media freedom and damage Georgia’s bid to join the European Union. Those who sabotage and undermine this path trample upon and damage the …

Georgia’s president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests
7 months ago

Georgia’s president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s president on Saturday vetoed the so-called “Russian law” targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests. President Salome Zourabichvili, who is increasingly at odds with Georgia’s ruling party, said on Saturday that the legislation contradicts Georgia’s Constitution and “all European standards,” and added that it “must be abolished.” The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has a …

Georgia’s president vetoes controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill
7 months ago

Georgia’s president vetoes controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill

Al Jazeera  

President Salome Zourabichvili says the law is ‘Russian in its essence’, but parliament is expected to overturn veto. Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has vetoed the “foreign influence” bill that has sparked unprecedented protests in the country and warnings from Brussels that the measure would undermine Tbilisi’s European Union aspirations. The draft law requires non-governmental organisations and media outlets with more …

Georgia approves ‘foreign agents bill’: Why is the Russia-style law so controversial?
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgia approves ‘foreign agents bill’: Why is the Russia-style law so controversial?

Firstpost  

Georgia’s parliament has approved the ‘foreign agents bill’ in an 84-30 vote, resulting in strong protests and demonstrations across Tbilisi. People of the country have taken to the streets of its capital, Tbilisi, and chanting slogans outside the parliament building after lawmakers on Tuesday approved a “foreign agents” bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech and also …

Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ bill: What’s the controversy about? What’s next?
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ bill: What’s the controversy about? What’s next?

Al Jazeera  

The ‘Russia law’ will make it hard for Georgia to join European Union, argue protesters, the US and Baltic states. Georgia’s Parliament passed its new “transparency of foreign influence” bill – also known as the “foreign agents” law – on Tuesday despite mass protests that have rocked the capital, Tbilisi, for the past few weeks. Georgia’s government says the bill …

Georgia parliament passes ‘foreign agent’ bill, triggering massive protests
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgia parliament passes ‘foreign agent’ bill, triggering massive protests

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Georgia after parliament approved a “foreign agents” bill despite widespread unrest in the country and warnings from the European Union and the United States. Chanting “no to the Russian law”, about 2,000 mainly young protesters gathered outside parliament ahead of the vote and several thousand joined the rally in the evening …

NATO warns Georgia ‘foreign agents’ bill is ‘step in wrong direction’
7 months, 1 week ago

NATO warns Georgia ‘foreign agents’ bill is ‘step in wrong direction’

Al Jazeera  

NATO has warned Georgia that its approval of new contentious legislation branding overseas-funded NGOs as “foreign agents” was a “step in the wrong direction”. It was also a move “away from European and Euro-Atlantic integration”, the military alliance that Georgia aspires to one day join said on Wednesday, a day after the United States warned that the “Kremlin-style” law would …

What is the newly passed ‘Russia law’ that has divided people in Georgia for months?
7 months, 1 week ago

What is the newly passed ‘Russia law’ that has divided people in Georgia for months?

Associated Press  

Georgia’s parliament has passed a law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Riot police block a street to prevent demonstrators during an opposition protest against “the Russian law” near the Parliament building in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The governing party says the law …

Last stand for democracy as 1,000 protesters demonstrate against Georgia's 'Russian law' that copies Kremlin's repressive legislation and moves the country closer to Putin
7 months, 1 week ago

Last stand for democracy as 1,000 protesters demonstrate against Georgia's 'Russian law' that copies Kremlin's repressive legislation and moves the country closer to Putin

Daily Mail  

Around 1,000 protesters were still outside Georgia's parliament Monday morning after an all-night last-stand demonstration against a highly controversial Russian-style 'foreign influence' bill. Police Force face protesters during a protest against the foreign agents law as two Americans and one Russian citizen are among 20 detained on May 13, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia Police intervene protesters as demonstrators protest the …

Thousands of Georgians defy warnings to join protest against ‘Russia’ bill
7 months, 1 week ago

Thousands of Georgians defy warnings to join protest against ‘Russia’ bill

Al Jazeera  

Protesters are angry at government efforts to pass a law against ‘foreign agents’ which mirrors repressive Russian legislation. Thousands of Georgians have joined new protests in Tbilisi against a Russian-styled “foreign agents” bill, as the government insisted it would push ahead with the legislation even after some of the largest protests since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Carrying …

Georgian president vetoes 'foreign agents' bill that has caused widespread protests
7 months, 1 week ago

Georgian president vetoes 'foreign agents' bill that has caused widespread protests

NPR  

Georgian president vetoes 'foreign agents' bill that has caused widespread protests Enlarge this image toggle caption Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP via Getty Images Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP via Getty Images Georgia's president on Saturday vetoed its "foreign agents" bill, a controversial piece of legislation that has led to weeks of protest in the former Soviet republic and is seen by many as a tug …

EU and US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill and not turn away from West after mass protests
7 months, 3 weeks ago

EU and US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill and not turn away from West after mass protests

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The European Union said the bill – which would …

UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow
7 months, 3 weeks ago

UN, EU, US urge Georgia to halt ‘foreign agents’ bill as protests grow

Al Jazeera  

Thousands gather in Tbilisi to protest against the bill, which passed its second reading in parliament this week. The European Union, United Nations, and the United States have condemned legislation making its way through Georgia’s parliament on “foreign agents”, as thousands of protesters snarled traffic in the country’s capital Tbilisi on Thursday with a large new protest against the bill. …

Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing ‘Russian law’ targeting the media. Protesters gather again
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgian lawmakers move closer to passing ‘Russian law’ targeting the media. Protesters gather again

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia’s Parliament moved a step closer Wednesday to passing a law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s European Union membership bid, as police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray against the tens of thousands of protesters who thronged surrounding streets. Opposition lawmaker Helene Khoshtaria accused the ruling party of trying …

Police in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protest against so-called ‘Russian law’
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Police in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protest against so-called ‘Russian law’

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Police in Georgia’s capital used tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to disperse protesters who rallied outside the country’s parliament to protest a bill that would require media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they get over 20% of their funding from abroad. They denounced it as “the Russian law” because Moscow …

Georgia police crack down on protest against ‘foreign influence’ bill
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia police crack down on protest against ‘foreign influence’ bill

Al Jazeera  

The crackdown in Tbilisi comes after lawmakers debated a controversial bill on foreign funding. Police in Georgia have used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters as thousands rallied outside parliament in Tbilisi for a third week to oppose a controversial “foreign influence” bill. Masked riot police violently cracked down on the rally on Tuesday beating and arresting many people …

Thousands protest in Georgia over contentious ‘foreign agents’ bill
8 months, 1 week ago

Thousands protest in Georgia over contentious ‘foreign agents’ bill

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of Georgians took to the streets in protest and politicians came to blows in parliament as governing party legislators gave the initial go-ahead for debate on a bill on “foreign agents” that has been criticised by Western and domestic critics as Russian inspired. More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered outside Georgia’s Soviet-built parliament building on Monday in the capital, Tbilisi, …

Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law
8 months, 1 week ago

Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Lawmakers in Georgia’s legislature scuffled on Monday as the parliament debated a divisive new law dubbed the foreign agent bill. Opponents of the measure denounce it as “the Russian law” because of similar legislation used by Moscow to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. Those who oppose the measure …

Protests called as Georgia revives controversial ‘foreign agents’ law
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Protests called as Georgia revives controversial ‘foreign agents’ law

Al Jazeera  

Pro-democracy groups have called for protests after Georgia’s governing party said it will revive the controversial “foreign agents law” that mass demonstrations forced it to drop last year. The governing Georgian Dream party said on Wednesday that it plans to make another bid to pass the legislation, which would require organisations that accept funding from abroad to register as “foreign …

As Georgia withdraws ‘foreign agent bill’, a look at nations with similar laws
1 year, 9 months ago

As Georgia withdraws ‘foreign agent bill’, a look at nations with similar laws

Firstpost  

The Georgia bill would have required media and nongovernmental organisations that receive over 20 per cent of their funding from foreign sources to register as ‘agents of foreign influence’. Explained: The ‘Russia-like’ law that has sparked violent protests in Georgia Let’s take examine nations with similar laws: Russia According to CNN, Russia in 2012 passed the NGO Law on “Foreign …

Victory for Georgia protesters as government halts plan to bring in Putin-like authoritarian laws
1 year, 9 months ago

Victory for Georgia protesters as government halts plan to bring in Putin-like authoritarian laws

Daily Mail  

The ruling Georgian Dream party said it would 'unconditionally withdraw the bill' Protesters said the proposed bill was inspired by an authoritarian Russian law Georgia's ruling party said on Thursday it was dropping a controversial 'foreign agent' bill after two nights of furious protests against the law seen as reminiscent of Russian legislation used to silence critics. A man waves …

Georgian police disperse crowd protesting foreign agent law
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgian police disperse crowd protesting foreign agent law

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Police in the capital of Georgia used water cannons and tear gas late Wednesday to disperse demonstrators around the parliament building protesting a draft law that they say could stifle media freedom and civil society. Lawmakers on Tuesday approved the first reading of the proposed law, which would require media and nongovernmental organizations that receive over 20% …

‘No to the Russian law’: Georgians protest ‘foreign agents’ bill
1 year, 9 months ago

‘No to the Russian law’: Georgians protest ‘foreign agents’ bill

Al Jazeera  

Police use water cannons and tear gas as thousands gather in Tbilisi in protest against a proposed foreign agents law. Police in the Georgian capital Tbilisi have fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds protesting against a proposed “foreign agents” law that is reminiscent of a Russian measure used to silence critics. Thousands gathered there for a second …

Georgians protest against draft law on media, nonprofits
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgians protest against draft law on media, nonprofits

Associated Press  

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgian authorities used tear gas and water cannon outside the parliament building in the capital Tuesday against protesters who oppose a proposed law some see as stifling freedom of the press. The law, which has received initial approval, would require media outlets and nongovernmental organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to …

‘Foreign agents’ law: Why are protests taking place in Georgia?
1 year, 9 months ago

‘Foreign agents’ law: Why are protests taking place in Georgia?

Al Jazeera  

A ‘foreign agent’ bill reminiscent of a controversial law passed in Russia has triggered protests in Tbilisi. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, for a second consecutive day to protest against a controversial “foreign agents” draft law. Critics have pointed to a similar law passed in Russia, where all organisations or individuals receiving financial …

Georgians protest ‘foreign agents’ draft law on media, nonprofits
1 year, 9 months ago

Georgians protest ‘foreign agents’ draft law on media, nonprofits

Al Jazeera  

Proposed law would require media outlets, NGOs that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources to register as ‘agents of foreign influence’. The law, which has received initial approval, would require media outlets and NGOs that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources to register as “agents of foreign influence”. A majority …

EU urges parties in ex-Soviet Georgia to ease tensions
3 years, 9 months ago

EU urges parties in ex-Soviet Georgia to ease tensions

The Independent  

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