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Russia Losing Control of Georgia

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/02/georgia-protests-corruption-russia-ivanishvili/

 

While America is focused on the college students occupying campus greens, halfway across the globe tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi to protest the government’s decision to pass a far-reaching foreign-agents law intended to stifle free expression in the country. We have recently returned from Georgia, where we witnessed citizens gathering nightly along the river leading into Tbilisi’s main square.

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Since we left, the protests have grown even more intense. On Tuesday, police used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades against demonstrators. This only attracted more people to the streets, leading to frightening scenes Wednesday night:

 

Police appear to have used rubber bullets against protesters. And although the Ministry of Internal Affairs denies the charge, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty confirmed their use. Pictures of the wounded are all over Georgian social media.

 

Tamara Chergoleishvili, founder of the independent news site Tabula and a veteran of Georgia’s democratic opposition, said she had never seen so many people in the streets.

The size and scope of the protests are a testament to how terrible the proposed law is. It requires all people and entities that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from outside Georgia to register as foreign agents — even if they are not acting on behalf of a foreign country. It would allow the government to closely monitor all the organizations it covers: religious, academic, humanitarian and civic groups, as well as media, watchdog and election-monitoring groups. Any that refuse to register would face hefty fines designed to drive them out of business or into exile.

 

 

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/12/georgia-protests-foreign-agents-law/

 

 

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Georgia’s capital over the weekend to protest a deeply contentious draft law to crack down on “foreign agents” — seen by critics and rights groups as a threat to democracy in the South Caucasus nation.

Crowds marched in Tbilisi on Saturday, in the rain, to demand that the bill not be adopted — just days before it is expected to be approved by Georgia’s parliament in a vote on Friday.

The protest, which followed reports that several prominent critics of the bill were attacked and threatened, was largely peaceful — though past protests against the draft law over recent weeks have included violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

The Georgian Dream political party, which controls Parliament and the government, introduced the bill in Parliament last month, after a similar effort was shelved in 2023 following violent demonstrations. The bill is an echo of a similar law in Russia, Georgia’s neighbor, that has been used to crush political dissent.

 

If adopted, the foreign agents law would require nongovernmental groups and independent media outlets to register as “agents of foreign influence.” It would apply to organizations, activist groups and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad. The government says the law will promote transparency about the sources of funding of nonprofits and media outlets in Georgia, and prevent foreign countries from trying to influence Georgian politics.

President Salome Zourabichvili has pledged to veto the law. But with a parliamentary majority, Georgian Dream can override a presidential veto.

Zourabichvili, who is not a member of Georgian Dream, has said the bill is itself an instrument of foreign interference — backed by Russia and intended to undermine Georgia’s bid to join the European Union. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

Zourabichvili posted a photo of Saturday’s protest and wrote, “Nothing and no one can stop this nation’s will!” Reuters reported that about 50,000 people joined the protests.

The United States and the European Union have also criticized the bill and called on the Georgian government to change course.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Saturday’s protests showed that “the Georgian people are making their views known.”

 

“Undeterred by intimidation tactics, tens of thousands of peaceful protestors turned out in rainy Tbilisi today to demand Georgian Dream withdraw the legislation,” he said in a statement posted on X.

The draft law — labeled “Transparency of Foreign Influence” — has already passed two readings in Georgia’s Parliament, according to Human Rights Watch.

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L Ron Burgundy Veteran

L Ron Burgundy

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8 hours ago, Tommy Callahan said:

looks like the usual western college themed and NGO supported color revolution.

 

Estimated 15% of Tblisi resident are in the streets protesting, just like Maidan in 2014.  what, is that the tipping point?

 

 

 

Conspiracy-mongering at its finest.  Proof?  Why would you need that when you have feelings?

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