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, demanding the government withdraw the measure which requires organisations that accept funds from abroad to register as foreign agents or face fines.
Critics label the bill “the Russian law”, comparing it with legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent.
The ruling Georgian Dream party said this month it would reintroduce the bill, 13 months after it was shelved because of mass protests.
Parliament’s legal affairs committee, which is controlled by Georgian Dream and its allies, endorsed the bill, clearing the way for it to be submitted for a first reading on Tuesday.
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