Police began detaining disruptive participants in the “No to Russian Law” protest in Tbilisi against the adoption of a draft law on foreign agents in Georgia, the IPN news agency reported on April 15.
According to journalists, one of those detained is the leader of the opposition party “Girchi – More Freedom”, Zurab Japaridze. Clashes between protesters and police began when a crowd of activists attempted to march around parliament, but were prevented by police.
It is reported that special forces arrived at the scene of the action and also brought a water cannon. The action takes place near parliament, where today the draft law on foreign agents began to be examined. Document review continues.
The head of the Georgian Interior Ministry’s police patrol, Vazha Siradze, told reporters that protesters did not obey law enforcement officers and insulted them. He cannot yet say how many people were detained, but he noted that the detentions are carried out for administrative violations.
Recall that the pro-Western opposition in Georgia, as well as NGOs receiving subsidies from abroad, oppose the adoption of the draft law on foreign agents, according to which organizations that receive money from other countries must report their financial activities. They claim that such a law will interfere with the country’s European integration.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, which initiated the bill, says it is necessary to prevent the financing of extremist activities. This is the second attempt to pass the law; In March 2023, this idea was abandoned due to unrest in Tbilisi.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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