Georgian lawmakers clashed Monday during a debate in a parliamentary committee discussing a draft law on “foreign agents” that critics say is modeled after draconian legislation in neighboring Russia, as protests took place outside the Legislature, News.ro reported. .

In Georgia, people protest against the draft law on “foreign agents”Photo: Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

The video shows a brief but violent scuffle between lawmakers after the head of the House Legal Affairs Committee punched the leader of the opposition United National Movement party, which opposes the bill.

Meanwhile, protests against the law continue under the parliament, as reported by the NEXTA network.

The ruling Georgian Dream bloc announced last month that it supports the law, which must go through several stages of approval before becoming law.

The law would require organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents” and be subject to oversight by the Justice Department or face hefty fines.

Critics have compared the draft to a 2012 Russian law that has since been expanded and used to suppress Russian civil society and the independent press. They say this bill proves that Georgia is moving towards an authoritarian regime, Reuters reports.

“The Russian legislation currently being proposed in the parliament contradicts the national interests of Georgia and our European aspirations,” said Iraklii Pavlenishvili, a human rights activist and opposition politician.

However, Georgian Dream deputy Givi Mikanadze told national television that “Georgian society deserves to know which organizations are funded and from which sources. We are talking about transparency and the fact that we have obligations (to the Georgian people),” he said. outside.

The ruling party says it remains committed to Georgia’s accession to the European Union. Georgian President Salome Zourabisvili said she would veto the bill, arguing it would jeopardize Georgia’s hopes of joining the EU and NATO, but parliament could override the president’s veto.

Last month, more than 60 civil society organizations and the media said they would not comply with the new “foreign agents” legislation if it becomes law.

  • Law as in Russia / VIDEO Georgia: protests and fights in the parliament over the bill on “foreign agents”