Thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi on Sunday for a charity concert aimed at raising funds for those arrested during protests against the “foreign influence” law.
On Tuesday, May 28, Georgia’s parliament passed a controversial law, overriding a presidential veto. However, Brussels and Washington warned that the move would derail the country’s path to European Union membership.
The law sparked nearly two months of daily protests. Police reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse rallies and beat and arrested demonstrators.
Organisers stated that the aim of the action was to “collect donations for demonstrators arrested during the protests.” Many at the concert expressed anger at the ruling Georgian Dream party. It faces growing accusations of steering Georgia away from an EU path.
The law obliges non-governmental organisations and media outlets that receive at least a fifth of their funding from abroad to register as “organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”
Georgian Dream insists it is committed to Georgia’s European aspirations. It says the law will ensure “transparency” about foreign-funded groups it says undermine the country’s sovereignty.
However, Georgian activists, independent journalists, and opposition politicians accuse the government of a concerted campaign of violence and threats. Tensions have risen ahead of October’s parliamentary elections, which are seen as a key test of democracy.
According to opinion polls, Georgia’s bid to join the EU is enshrined in the country’s constitution and is supported by more than 80 per cent of the population.
