Georgia against the 'foreign agents law', day three, 100 thousand protesters. What happened, videos, photos

“The tension and public protests unfolding in and around the Georgian Parliament in recent days have led to escalation and tension in the country. There are already more than enough arguments to stop/suspend the adoption of the controversial draft law,” wrote Metropolitan of Poti and Hobio Grigoli in a letter published on the official Facebook page of the metropolis.

“I believe that this bold and generous step will pave the way for civil peace, and our homeland will avoid great danger. In case of further escalation of tension, the extremely angered enemy will take advantage of this and inflict irreparable damage to Georgia’s historical aspirations. And then even our friends and partners will not be able to save us.”

In an official statement, they urge rally participants “not to engage in unlawful activities.” “During the rally, protesters resorted to violence several times. Some rally participants failed to comply with the legitimate demand of the police to express their protest peacefully, as a result of which 2 individuals were detained administratively,” the statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

According to the police cited by “Interpressnews,” law enforcement officers have detained three individuals near the government administration. The situation intensified after the protesters moved towards the government chancellery, where the government is located. Police are not allowing the protesters to approach the building.

Opposition politicians insist on entering the government chancellery to meet with the Prime Minister. This led to a standoff between politicians, law enforcement officers, and protesters. The police are not allowing the gathered crowd to enter the building.

Opposition politicians are demanding that the police allow them inside the government chancellery so they can meet and talk with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the political party “Akhali,” stated that “after the draft law ‘On Transparency of Foreign Influence’ was passed in the first reading, the people’s demand has changed. Now it sounds like ‘No to the pro-Russian government’.”

The authors of this song – Irma Sokhadze and Gia Macharashvili – prohibited its performance at the rally for political reasons. But people still sing this song, which is called ‘Smile.’

This hit, performed by Merab Sebashvili, became the anthem of the Georgian national football team’s victory, which in March 2024 secured the country’s place in the European championship, celebrated throughout Georgia.

“We are deeply concerned that if this law is passed, it will lead to the stigmatization of civil society organizations that work to improve the lives of Georgian citizens, as well as the media outlets that provide information to the population,” said Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Vedant Patel.

“The United States believes that civil society and independent media are cornerstones of any democratic society. We urge the government of Georgia to heed warnings that this draft law does not meet the norms and values of the European Union, and it will certainly have a negative impact on Georgia’s progress towards the European Union,” Patel reiterated.

After Levan Tsutskiridze, co-founder of the “European Platform of Georgia” group, announced the plan of action, demonstrators headed towards the government chancellery and demanded a meeting with the Prime Minister. Tsutskiridze proposed demanding that the government repeal the law and release those detained the day before. Police and security forces are strengthening their cordon near the chancellery building.

At 21:30 rally participants presented an ultimatum to the authorities demanding the repeal of the law and gave them one hour to make this statement.

At 22:30, the deadline for the ultimatum presented to the authorities by rally participants expired. They were waiting for a statement from the government that it would revoke the ‘Russian law.’ After an hour passed without any response from the authorities, protesters first counted down from ten to one, and then announced their plan of action: rally participants decided to march to the chancellery and voice their demands there.

According to Formula TV, some participants of the rally are already heading towards the chancellery building. Meanwhile, there is an increased presence of police and reinforced approaches. Cars are also seen in the frame, indicating that government members are likely trying to leave before the protesters arrive.

Despite being at a distance from the parliament, large groups of special forces and police are still present. In particular, several dozen law enforcement officers are sitting in buses on the square. A water cannon is also stationed there. Through the gates, it can be seen that there is also a large group of police in the parliament courtyard, according to Interpressnews.

The action plan will be announced in a few minutes at the ongoing rally near the parliament.

Those gathered at the rally are cautioned about potential escalations. ‘Do not give in and refrain from confrontation with anyone,’ speakers say from the platform.

Today’s action on Rustaveli Avenue creates a sense of unity, participants say. Tens of thousands of people dance, and there is a real concert going on between speeches, featuring both traditional Georgian and modern Georgian and Western music.

“No videos or photos can fully capture what is happening right now in front of the parliament. We are already Europeans, mainly thanks to our youth,” rally participants write on social media.

In this area, there is suspiciously almost no police presence. Many think this may be deliberately done to allow provocateurs to escalate the situation.

Rally participants in front of the parliament are awaiting a statement from the government renouncing the Russian law. The government had half an hour left to make this statement – in accordance with the ultimatum announced at the rally about an hour ago.

No specific demands were initially planned for this rally, but it gathered an unprecedented number of people. According to JAMnews reporters’ observations, Rustaveli Avenue and adjacent streets from Freedom Square to Rustaveli metro station were completely filled. “Never seen such a crowd at a rally,” many write on social media.

Presumably, the sheer number of supporters prompted organizers to change their plans, and they switched to specific ultimatums.

Rally participants have given the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’ party one hour to withdraw the ‘foreign agents law’. What will happen if this is not done was not specified.

For the third consecutive day, tens of thousands have gathered in Tbilisi near the parliament building to protest against the ‘foreign agents law.’ Today, the majority began arriving around 7:00 PM. Rustaveli Avenue has been closed to traffic. Students have joined the demonstrators, and bikers also held a procession.

Protesters are demanding the release of the 11 people arrested yesterday. Many were also beaten by special forces the day before.

A few hours ago, the draft law ‘On Foreign Influence’ was passed by parliament in the first reading with 83 votes in favor and 0 against. Some opposition deputies left the chamber, while others were forcibly removed.

Photos by JAMnews/David Pipia

Tbilisi now! People against government’s foreign agents bill pic.twitter.com/uhwaEcqbqY

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) April 17, 2024

According to protest participants and local media reports, there is practically no police presence in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, where a mass rally is taking place. Additionally, the entrance door to the parliament, which was carefully closed and even blocked in previous days, is now open. Protesters and opposition leaders claim that they themselves are guarding this door to prevent provocations and any attempts to unlawfully enter the parliament. For example, members of opposition parties ‘Droa’ and ‘Girchi – More Freedom’ are stationed at one of the doors.

This is an unprecedented situation. Almost always, and including yesterday, there has been a large police presence mobilized at the protest site. Yesterday, on April 16th, there were both regular police officers and an unprecedentedly large number of special forces personnel stationed around the parliament in several rows.

“Independence, freedom, and a European future are the national ideals of the Georgian people. We have fought for them for centuries, but have always been tragically lonely in this struggle. Today, we have overcome this historically conditioned solitude: we have real friends—European countries, the USA, who have believed in our spirit and opened the doors of their homes to us! We cannot afford to lose this,” writes director Lana Gogoberidze on Facebook.

“I believe in the vitality of our people. This was demonstrated very recently when we all celebrated the wonderful victory of our footballers. We celebrated so publicly because we understood that it was not just a sporting event, but a rehearsal for entering Europe. This joy was a natural expression of the spiritual energy of our people. No government can take this away from us.

We are very strong when we are together, and we are happy. So joyful, shouting, screaming, like on that day, the day of our boys’ victory, we will step into Europe! That’s why it’s ‘no’ to the Russian law, ‘yes’ to Europe.”

Near the parliament, the protest with the main slogan ‘No to the Russian law!’ has resumed. Rustaveli Avenue is blocked off. Thousands of city residents have been protesting for the third day against the ‘foreign agents law.’

Today, the parliament passed the draft law ‘On Foreign Influence’ in the first reading with 83 votes. The voting on the draft law followed three days of noisy committee and session discussions.”

 

Tbilisi now! People against government’s foreign agents bill pic.twitter.com/uhwaEcqbqY

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) April 17, 2024

The protest is also taking place in Batumi, at Europe Square. Participants symbolically unfurled the flag of the European Union.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=959107078919151

At the briefing on April 17th, Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the President of Georgia is a foreign agent, and that Salome Zourabichvili ‘personifies the party of global war’.”  ‘Everyone, including the president, should wait for the parliamentary elections, which will effectively serve as a referendum on this law and the Constitution,’ the Prime Minister said.

At the briefing on April 17, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, said, ‘Statements from Western leaders without arguments cannot serve as a basis for reconsidering our decision.’ He specifically mentioned the Chancellor of Germany and the NATO Secretary-General.

‘Today, another diplomat working in Georgia published a statement. And he also didn’t provide a single argument against the law. So, they tell us: the law contradicts European values. But in which part, in which article, why? They have no answer,’ Kobakhidze said.

He once again invited accredited ambassadors in Georgia to discuss and give them ‘the opportunity to present their arguments, if they have any.’

Here are some other points Kobakhidze made during the briefing:

• “The sole purpose of the project is to ‘ensure annual declaration of money received and spent by organizations representing the interests of a foreign state.'”

• He reiterated that “much stricter transparency standards are in place in the United States,” although this thesis was sharply refuted by representatives of the US State Department with clear arguments.

• The Prime Minister stated that “many EU member states have laws with much stricter standards,” which has also been disproven multiple times by EU representatives.

• Kobakhidze claimed that there is no influence from pro-Russian forces in Georgia because they have “practically disappeared from the political space thanks to the strategy of the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’.”

• “During the nationwide elections in 2012, 2012, 2013, 2014, pro-Russian parties and candidates garnered about 20 percent of the vote. And today, pro-Russian forces have practically disappeared from the political space. ‘Alt-Info’ is the only organization that has been active lately, but even they have existential problems [they have been stripped of licenses and accreditations],” the Prime Minister said.

Law enforcement officers are mobilized at the service entrance to parliament. Protest participants are also beginning to gather. Social media is filled with anger after parliament approved the draft law ‘On Foreign Influence’ in the first reading. A mass protest action is being prepared for the evening of April 17th.

Photo: JAMnews/David Pipia”

President Salome Zourabichvili met with ambassadors accredited in Georgia to discuss the process surrounding the bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence.” She emphasized the importance of international support for Georgia and the need to intensify high-level visits by European leaders. “Please continue your support,” Zourabichvili appealed to the ambassadors.

She also stated that “Russia’s goal is to destabilize the country and divide society, and this should not be achieved in Georgia.”

Following the meeting, EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, told journalists: “If this law is passed, it will not help Georgia to move closer to the European Union. The EU reacted very quickly to the initiation of the bill on April 4th. Within 24 hours, the official representative of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement. On the evening of April 17th, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed a similar position: if this law is adopted, it will cause complications, as it clearly does not comply with the norms and values of the European Union.”

Source: Interpressnews

Independent MP Grigol Vashadze announced his resignation from parliament, stating that “working in parliament in such a situation has neither political nor moral justification.”

He emphasized that “there is no legal, political, moral, or pragmatic justification for even drafting such a bill, let alone passing it.” Vashadze expressed concern that if the bill becomes law, it will ultimately be used to establish an authoritarian regime. He highlighted the damage already done to the country’s European prospects and stated his departure from parliament, citing the importance of Georgian public opinion and expressing hope that the authorities will reconsider passing the law.

The “Foreign Influence Law” was passed by the parliament in the first reading during the plenary session with 83 votes in favor and 0 against. Some opposition members voluntarily left the session and did not vote, while others were expelled.

The next steps are as follows:

• During the first reading, the general principles and main provisions of the bill were discussed.

• In the second reading, the bill is considered article by article.

• During the third reading, editorial remarks can be made to the bill.

According to information published on the Georgian Parliament’s website, May 17 is the anticipated date for the third and final hearing on the “Russian law.”

During the debate on the “Russian Law” at the parliament’s plenary session, Chairman Shalva Papuashvili expelled opposition MPs Levan Khabeishvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Tina Bokuchava, and Ana Natsvlishvili from the chamber.

The parliamentary session has been tumultuous all day. Members of the ruling party greeted opposition speeches with shouts, while opposition MPs chanted “No to the Russian Law!” during majority speeches.

Under the pretext of calming the situation, Papuashvili first ejected Khabeishvili and Vashadze, followed by Bokuchava and Natsvlishvili, and called for a technical recess.

“You are far from Europe in your attitude toward the state and the law. What Europe are you talking about? You don’t read books. Europe means not just speaking but also listening to others. This constant blah-blah-blah is not Europe,” the speaker addressed opposition colleagues after the recess, before handing over to ruling party colleague, Legal Committee Chairman Henri Okhanashvili.

“Our team is leaving the session hall, leaving you alone to face this difficult decision. We have nothing more to discuss with you on this matter in this hall,” said opposition party member Beka Liluashvili. “There is not a single prominent figure left in Georgia who does not oppose you. You are the only group of people claiming that this law is not Russian. This law cannot apply to other citizens of Georgia, only to you. That’s why our team is leaving this hall,” Liluashvili stated.

“For me and for us, athletes, there’s nothing more important than bringing happiness to our nation and uniting society through our efforts. We recently saw the brightest example of this at the ‘Dynamo Arena’ stadium when the team led Georgia to the European Championship. It’s saddening to see the nation divided. It deeply saddens me that I can’t do anything to change it except hope. Through our actions and words, we will unite, and together, all of us, without exception, will move forward towards Europe!” Shengelia wrote on Facebook.

“Special forces are beating people who are fighting for the well-being of everyone in Georgia, even the police themselves. It’s important for the voice of the Georgian people to be heard and respected. It’s unfortunate that the Georgian people have to fight for this. Only by moving towards Europe can we build a more prosperous and peaceful future for our country,” wrote UFC champion, Georgian fighter Ilya Topuria on social media.

Deputy Minister of Health Tamar Gabunia reported that during the protest near the parliament yesterday, seven injured individuals were transported to hospitals, two of whom were law enforcement officers. Some suffered from concussions and various fractures. However, most people required assistance due to elevated blood pressure, headaches, and emotional distress.

The session has been ongoing for over an hour. Before the session began, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili explained the procedure for considering the bill. Opposition deputies were the first to take the floor. Afterward, members of the majority spoke. Then the bill will be put to a vote.

Stars of the Georgian national team, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Zuriko Davitashvili, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, and Shota Arveladze, are posting on social media to protest against the adoption of the “foreign agents” law:

• “Only to Europe”

• “Europe unites us all! Peace to Georgia!”

Instagram story of football legend Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: “The path and future of Georgia – only in Europe”

In their comments, government representatives constantly repeat that critics of the “foreign agents law,” including journalists, cannot provide specific arguments as to why this law is Russian. This is not true, as evidenced by numerous materials circulating in Georgian media for over a year. Journalists thoroughly explain the harmful nature of this law with specific arguments.

If anyone truly needs additional arguments, read this text from JAMnews, where we explain what the law says and why it has nothing to do with the American and European versions.

Also, please review the important materials from our colleagues on this topic:

• The Georgian edition of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty provides detailed answers to all questions.

• Here’s an article from “Publika.”

• Here’s a text from JAMnews about how this law operates in other countries.

• Here’s a text from Netgazeti: why the Russian law is dangerous – 5 questions, 5 answers.

• And here’s a short and simple explanation on the website on.ge.

Dimitri Beridze, a young protester, was subjected to physical violence by the police on April 16 during the rally against the ‘Russian law.’ Footage circulated in the media and on social media shows that overnight on April 16, when the demonstration was dispersed, the police pursued and beat demonstrators on the narrow streets around the parliament.

Source: Georgian edition of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

In his Facebook post, he wrote: “No to Russia! Georgia’s path is to Europe! P.S. You don’t need to thank me. I’m just saying what everyone in Georgia should say today.”