Thousands of Georgians have flocked to the streets of Tbilisi, even in the pouring rain, in protest at the passing of a Russian-inspired law that brands overseas-funded NGOs as “foreign agents”. Those who oppose the bill say it could be used to curtail civil liberties.
Two of Russia’s other neighbours, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, passed similar laws in 2016 and 2024 respectively without much fanfare. But Georgians have passionately objected to their government’s latest manoeuvre, even daring to heckle policemen clad in full riot gear.
Georgians are outraged that the passage of the bill may end dreams of their nation one day becoming a member of the EU. On May 15, the EU said the measure would set back Georgia’s ambitions to join the bloc, and urged the government to withdraw the bill.
