Russian analogue: Georgia's parliamentarians can strengthen the law on foreign agents

According to the authors of the project, for violation of the rules of the law should be provided imprisonment, which, in fact, copies a similar bill in Russia. This was reported by the newspaper "News-Georgia" on February 26. The movement "Power of the People", which is part of the parliamentary coalition of the majority, introduced a bill entitled "On Registration of Foreign Agents", and earlier they were offered a more "soft" version of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Impact.

"The power of the people" proposes to bring to the vote both options, stating that the criticism of the first project was unjustified because it is as soften as much as possible, and for comparison offered a second, more rigid option, " - written journalists. It is noted that the new edition was written in the shortest time-literally during the week.

The new version is proposed to grant the status of foreign agents not only to the media and non-governmental organizations, but also to any individuals and legal entities receiving funding from abroad with rare exceptions. Persons who are "conscientiously" engaged in charitable, religious, educational, scientific, academic or artistic activity will be punished. However : for legal entities - fine, for individuals - imprisonment for up to five years.

European Politicians have already criticized the bill on foreign agents and stated that the adoption of such laws was incompatible with the fulfillment of the conditions recommended by Georgia to acquire the status of a member of the EU member. In addition, serious concern was expressed in the United States. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Georgia Papuasvili's Parliament called the event's reaction as a "propaganda wave", which was misleading Western officials.

The speaker disagrees that the law copies the Russian counterpart, since the Georgian project aims to provide "transparency of foreign financing. " "Against the background of propaganda agitation, which is happening around the laws prepared by the" power of the people ", which are branded as Russian law, it is not surprising that some fears sound from our partners," Papuasvili said.

In response to the legislative initiative, hundreds of Georgian NGOs and the media have signed a joint statement stating that the Law on Registration of Foreign Agencys is a response to the authorities to publish information on corruption, lawlessness and electoral justice. We will remind, Viceremier of Georgia Tay Tsulukiani said on January 15 that the Georgian authorities will not allow the country to involve the country in the military confrontation between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.