Georgian president vetoes 'foreign agents' bill
Georgia's pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili said on May 18 that she vetoed the controversial "foreign agents" bill previously passed by the parliament despite large-scale protests.
Georgia
FT: EU to freeze Georgia's membership bid if 'foreign agents' law enacted
The bill's introduction into the parliament has led to widespread protests across the country and criticism from the EU and the U.S.
Shares in Georgia's largest banks plummet after US threatens sanctions against top Georgian officials
London-listed shares in the two banks, TBC and Bank of Georgia, plummeted to their lowest single-day declines since the spring of 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
White House: If 'foreign agents' bill passes, US will be compelled to 'reassess' relationship with Georgia
If Tbilisi's proposed foreign agents bill is ultimately approved by Georgia's parliament, the U.S. would be compelled "to fundamentally reassess" its relationship with Georgia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on May 14.
Georgian parliament passes 'foreign agents' bill in final reading
Georgia's parliament on May 14 passed the controversial "foreign agents" bill in its third and final reading.
Explainer: What's behind ongoing protests in Georgia?
For the past few weeks, thousands of protesters have gathered every night in front of the Georgian parliament in opposition to the controversial foreign agents law that the ruling Georgian Dream party is attempting to pass. The final vote is set to take place on May 14. The law would
Georgian police arrest 2 US citizens at Tbilisi protests
The ministry said that individuals arrested "ignored the legal request of the police" and "violated public order, resisted, and insulted law enforcement officers."
Parliamentary committee takes 1 minute to assess Georgia's foreign agents law
Georgian Parliament's Legal Committee took just 67 seconds to assess and vote on the controversial foreign agents' law. At the same time, most opposition MPs could not join the session, Georgian news outlet Civil Georgia reported on May 13.
Protests continue overnight in Tbilisi ahead of final vote on foreign agents bill
Thousands of protesters remained on the streets of Tbilisi overnight on May 12 ahead of the final reading of the controversial "foreign agents law" in Georgia's parliament on May 14.
Tens of thousands rally in Tbilisi to protest Georgia's 'foreign agents' bill
Around 50,000 protesters marched through Georgia's capital on May 11 in the latest of the series of demonstrations against the government's "foreign agents" bill, Deutsche Welle reported.
Media: Detained Ukrainian student at Moscow university to be expelled from Russia
According to MediaZona, Serhiy Hulko was first arrested on April 3 and detained for 10 days. After his release he was detained again for writing "Glory to Ukraine!" on social media.
2 Georgian volunteers fighting for Ukraine killed in combat
Two Georgian volunteers fighting for Ukraine, David Gogadze and Beso Lomidze, have been killed during hostilities in the Avdiivka sector, the Black Eagle unit said on May 7.
European Parliament lawmakers call for suspension of Georgia's EU candidate status
The letter said the "continued undemocratic behavior of the Georgian authorities, in particular their aggressiveness in pushing through a 'Russian-style' law on foreign agents, silencing and using force against peaceful demonstrators, has crossed the line."
Georgian president accuses government of being 'prone to making concessions to Russia'
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili was referring to the controversial foreign agents law, known popularly among its opponents in Georgia as the Russian law, which Georgian Dream is attempting to pass in parliament.
US, EU, UN criticize Georgia's foreign agents bill
"We are deeply concerned about this legislation - what it could do in terms of stifling dissent and free speech," U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing.
Georgian PM refuses to visit US due to condition regarding 'foreign agents' law
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze will not travel to the U.S. because he was invited under the condition that Tbilisi suspend discussions on the controversial "foreign agents" law in parliament, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said on May 2.
Media: At least 8 injured in latest police crackdown on protests in Georgia
The injuries were severe enough to require the hospitalization of the eight individuals, one of whom has already been discharged.
Georgian police arrest 63 demonstrators amid violent crackdown on anti-government protest
Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said that "participants of the rally continued to attack the policemen," in unsubstantiated claims that contradicted both the Kyiv Independent's reporting on the ground and widespread media coverage of the event.
Reuters: Georgian police attack protesters with tear gas, water cannons
Georgian police on April 30 attacked protesters with tear gas and water cannons outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, where demonstrators gathered to protest the government's controversial "foreign agents" law, Reuters reported.
Georgian government holds massive anti-West rally as it aims to pass 'Russian-style' law
TBILISI, Georgia – The ruling Georgian Dream party staged a massive rally in Tbilisi on April 29, with tens of thousands of people bussed in from around the country to support the country's democratic backsliding. Party leaders, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder
Opposition rally held in Tbilisi denouncing 'foreign agents' law
On April 28 in Tbilisi, Georgia, an opposition rally opposing the foreign agents law occurred, starting from Republic Square and culminating at the Parliament. Participants chanted slogans denouncing the legislation and projecting messages onto the Parliament building, including “No to the Russian law.”
European Parliament adopts resolution condemning Georgia's foreign agents law
EU officials have previously strongly suggested that the law's passage would hurt Georgia's chances of becoming a member of the EU.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemns Georgian PM's 'Ukrainization' comment
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded on April 18 to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's comment that a foreign agents law was needed to defend Georgia against "Ukrainization," condemning the Prime Minister's words as "disturbing."
Georgian parliament moves forward with controversial foreign agents law as protests continue
The legislation was approved by 83 lawmakers of Georgia's 150-member parliament, with opposition lawmakers boycotting the vote.
Thousands protest in Georgia over controversial foreign agents bill
The Georgian parliament postponed the vote on the first reading of the controversial foreign agent bill to April 17 amid mass protests, local media reported.
EU's ambassador to Georgia says foreign agents bill 'incompatible' with European values
"We are seriously concerned. These are legitimate concerns about transparency, which should not be used to justify the restriction of space and the stigmatization of civil society organizations," Pawel Herczynski, the EU's ambassador to Georgia.
Ruling party in Georgia will again try to pass 'foreign agents' law withdrawn following protests in 2023
The bill, popularly known in Georgia as the "Russian law" for its resemblance to similar legislation passed there, was introduced previously in early 2023 by the Georgian Dream party.
Russian GRU unit linked to mysterious attacks on US officials abroad
A collaborative investigation by The Insider uncovered evidence linking the mysterious health condition known as the Havana Syndrome to members of Russia's military intelligence agency. GRU Unit 29155 reportedly used directed energy weapons to target overseas U.S. government personnel.
Ruling party in Georgia proposes anti-LGBTQ+ law, mirroring similar legislation passed in Russia
The proposal, which was put forth by Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of Georgian Dream's faction in parliament, is the latest in a series of government measures that aim to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Georgia.
Georgian government again demands extradition of wanted ex-officials who work in Ukraine
The latest diplomatic spat arose after former Georgian Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili visited Berlin and Brussels as part of a Ukrainian delegation, which the Georgian government said was another incident that "blatantly contradict(s) the traditional friendship established between our two countries and peoples."
2 Georgian volunteers killed fighting for Ukraine
Georgian volunteer fighters Nodar Nasirov and Giorgi Gogiashvili have been killed in Ukraine, the Georgian Legion reported on March 9.
Gunman kills 4 in Georgian city outside of Tbilisi
Rustavi, a city of about 130,000, is located some 30 kilometers southeast of the capital Tbilisi.
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