The Georgian parliament has adopted a controversial “foreign agents” law despite months of street protests and warnings from Brussels that it could endanger the country’s EU accession bid.
The bill, which is expected to enter into force next month, mandates that civil rights groups and media outlets receiving funds from abroad must register with the government as “foreign agents” or face fines. Critics have said the law was inspired by Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on non-governmental organisations and independent media.
A majority of 84 MPs in Georgia’s 140-strong parliament voted in favour of the bill on Tuesday. Opposition lawmakers left the house to join demonstrators outside, who were waving EU flags and chanting “slaves” in reference to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s alleged ties to Russia.