American Invest Hub
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News

American Invest Hub

  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News
Latest News

Violent clashes break out in Georgia amid controversial ‘foreign agents’ law debate

by admin April 18, 2024
April 18, 2024
Violent clashes break out in Georgia amid controversial ‘foreign agents’ law debate

Violent clashes erupted between protesters and police in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, on Tuesday as the country’s parliament continued debating a controversial “foreign agents” bill, criticized by Western and domestic opponents as authoritarian and Russian-inspired.

The bill, dubbed “the Russian law” by critics due to parallels with legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent, has been reintroduced for debate by the ruling Georgian Dream party, after it was dropped last year amid a wave of protests.

The legislation, which would require organizations that accept funds from abroad to register as foreign agents or face fines, has been criticized by Western countries, including the US and Britain, and seen by rights groups as an attempt to curtail basic freedoms in the country.

“Second night of massive protest in Tbilisi against the Russian Law,” Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili said in a post on social media on Tuesday.

“Insistence of the authorities to push through this law against the will of the population and despite partners protest is a direct provocation – a Russian strategy of destabilization,” said Zourabichvili, who has vowed to repeal the law if it crosses her desk.

The Georgian Dream party, which has been pushing for the law, has the parliamentary majority which could override a presidential veto.

Videos shared on activist Telegram channels and news agencies showed riot police trying to clear demonstrators from the area around the parliament. In the videos, police could be seen grabbing protesters by the clothes and firing what appeared to be water cannons.

At least one employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was injured during Tuesday’s clashes, the ministry said in a statement.

If protesters “continue their illegal actions,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs will “administer special measures defined by law,” it warned. “Each illegal action will be followed by appropriate legal response from the police,” it added.

Dramatic scenes unfolded inside the ex-Soviet country’s parliament a day earlier, as Georgian television showed the leader of the Georgian Dream party, Mamuka Mdinaradze, being punched in the face by opposition lawmaker Aleko Elisashvili. A wider brawl between several lawmakers followed.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have denounced the “foreign agents” law, saying if adopted, it would also “impose additional onerous reporting requirements, inspections, and administrative and criminal liability, including up to five years in prison for violations.”

The legislation is “incompatible with international human rights law and standards that protect the rights to freedom of expression and association,” Human Rights Watch warned.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Zelensky signs law overhauling Ukraine’s mobilization rules
next post
Astronomers spot a massive ‘sleeping giant’ black hole less than 2,000 light-years from Earth

Related Posts

China expels two former defense ministers from Communist...

June 29, 2024

Is India’s economy falling behind? Here’s what the...

December 3, 2024

Delhi airport roof collapse kills one, injures others...

June 29, 2024

Japan’s inflation hits 2-year high of 4% in...

February 21, 2025

Scientists say they’ve found where the sun’s magnetic...

May 24, 2024

Leader of Northern Ireland’s main pro-union party resigns...

March 31, 2024

Gold must demonstrate resilience to downward pressure for...

December 5, 2024

What would happen to the US economy if...

April 21, 2025

A third of shark species face extinction. Here’s...

June 30, 2024

Canadian dollar falls below 1.4 per USD: GDP...

November 30, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest News

    • Kraft Heinz plans breakup, weighs $20 billion grocery spin-off: report

      July 13, 2025
    • Trump’s 50% tariff on Brazil imports to brew trouble for Starbucks and Dutch Bros

      July 13, 2025
    • US to announce 30% tariff on EU and Mexico says Trump

      July 13, 2025
    • Why India is rushing to build bigger banks and what’s standing in the way

      July 13, 2025
    • Wall Street braces for weakest earnings season since 2023 amid market highs

      July 13, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (3,388)
    • Investing (2,615)
    • Latest News (2,017)
    • Politics (1,530)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: americaninvesthub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 americaninvesthub.com | All Rights Reserved