Arrests made at reinstated demonstrations in Georgia - Tass
In a media report, it's stated that 20 individuals were apprehended in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, during protests against a proposed legislation to categorize certain groups as "foreign agents." This included two American citizens and one Russian, as per Russian news agency Tass. On Sunday, the Georgian opposition had urged people who opposed the plan to assemble outside the parliament and hinder its operation on Monday.
The distested draft law, extensively condemned by opposition parties and significant parts of civil society, mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad must register as "foreign agent agents." Critics view it as mirroring a law in Russia, which the government employs to unearth the opposition and society. The Georgian government defends the move by arguing it will boost transparency and national sovereignty.
The uproar about this law has escalated into a watershed moment for Georgia, traditionally maintaining favorable relations with the West, in determining whether it will continue to pursue EU and NATO membership or develop ties with Russia.
The EU, having awarded Georgia candidate status in December, has frequently affirmed that this bill could risk Tbilisi's future integration into the bloc.
As per Russian news agency RIA, the Georgian parliament's justice committee sealed the bill's third reading on Monday, clearing the path for a vote in the plenary session this week to pass the legislation.
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Source: www.ntv.de