A new law on “foreign agents” was adopted by the Georgian Parliament on Tuesday, in its third and final reading. A total of 86 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, with no opposing votes.
According to a statement by the ruling party, “Georgian Dream”, the new law is a direct copy of the US “Foreign Agents Registration Act”. The party emphasized that it aims to prevent debates on the transparency of foreign influence, which was adopted last year.
In contrast to the original bill, the new interpretation not only affects organizations but also natural persons who receive foreign financial assistance and refuse to register with the Georgian Justice Ministry’s register. Those found in violation of the new law may face fines or up to five years in prison, designated as “foreign agents”.
The adoption of the law on transparency of foreign influence in May 2024 was accompanied by nationwide protests. Western countries threatened Georgia with sanctions against the politicians who worked on the law. The European Commission, in turn, halted Georgia’s EU accession process.