Minister shows toughness

Mass protest in Georgia despite threat of imprisonment

The mass protests that have been going on for weeks are directed against a planned law on "foreign influence".(Bild: AP)

Despite government threats of long prison sentences, thousands of people have once again taken to the streets in Georgia to protest against a planned law on "foreign influence". 

People gathered in front of the parliament in the capital Tbilisi on Sunday evening, with many saying they wanted to stay all night. A few hours earlier, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri had threatened arrests in the event of a blockade of parliament.

Thousands outside parliament
"Blockade by groups of institutions of special importance can be punished with up to four years in prison," explained Gomelauri. "We will use this article against lawbreakers without any exception." Despite this, thousands gathered in front of parliament in the evening, many of them waving Georgian and EU flags.

The mass protests, which have been going on for weeks, are directed against a planned law on "foreign influence".(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AP)

Soon "Russian conditions" in the country?
The mass protests that have been going on for weeks are directed against a planned law on "foreign influence" which, according to critics, would create "Russian conditions" in Georgia. The text is to be discussed in parliament on Monday in its third reading.

Blockade by groups of institutions of particular importance can be punished with up to four years in prison. We will use this article against lawbreakers without any exception.

Innenminister Vakhtang Gomelauri

According to the law proposed by the government, organizations that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from abroad will have to register with the authorities in Georgia. Independent media organizations would also be affected.

Critics see clear parallels with the law against "foreign agents" in Russia. This allows the authorities there to take massive action against critical media and organizations. The United Nations, the USA and the EU have also criticized the Georgian legislative plans.