Georgians on the streets of Tbilisi face Kremlin interference, a key moment

Thousands of people expressed their anger in Tbilisi during dispersed protests with tear gas and water cannons on March 7, 2023. REUTERS - IRAKLI GEDENIDZE

Text by: RFI Follow

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Thousands of Georgians are protesting against a law adopted Tuesday, March 7 in first reading on "the registration of foreign agents".

Critics say the bill is reminiscent of a law passed in Russia in 2012 that the Kremlin uses to clamp down on opposition media and organizations and mere dissenting voices.

Some speak of the “Yanukovych moment”, in reference to the Ukrainian president who fled power in early 2014. 

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From our correspondent in Tbilisi

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Some also refer to this law on “foreign agents” as “Russian” law.

Because not only is it directly inspired by the Russian law of 2012, which today serves as the basis for the fierce repression of all critical voices.

But also because there are many observers and Georgian citizens who believe that Russia is behind this law, encouraging the Georgian government in the hands of the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, to adopt it, in order to somehow seal the break between Tbilisi and the West.

And it is in this sense that some speak of the "Yanukovich moment": they draw a parallel between the actions of the current Georgian government and that of the Ukrainian president, in 2013, who, against the will of his people, had decided to break the discussions between Kyiv and the European Union on the signing of an association agreement.

This law on “foreign agents” is in total contradiction with the values ​​promoted by the West, and that is why it is adopted now.

In a year when the country is supposed to meet a dozen points set by Brussels, so that we decide whether or not to grant Georgia the status of candidate country to the EU.

► Georgian President Salomé Zurabishvili, "

" the demonstrators

The Georgian opposition called for new demonstrations on Wednesday the day after clashes between thousands of opponents and the police in this Caucasian country.

“

(in Tbilisi, editor’s note)

“Said Nika Melia, figure of the United National Movement (MNU), opposition formation created by the imprisoned ex-president Mikheïl Saakashvili on Tuesday evening.

Other NGOs have also called for demonstrations from 7 p.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT), after the working day, in front of Parliament.

Opponents of the text must finally meet during marches planned for International Women's Rights Day.

On Tuesday evening, thousands of people expressed their anger in Tbilisi during scattered protests with tear gas and water cannons.

The Georgian Interior Ministry said at least 66 people were arrested during the protest, adding that around 50 police officers and "civilians" were injured in the clashes.

According to this source, protesters threw stones and "Molotov cocktails" at the police, trying to carry out an "organized attack" against the Georgian Parliament.

Georgian President Salomé Zurabishvili spoke on television from New York on Tuesday to say she was "alongside" the protesters.

"You represent today free Georgia which sees its future in Europe and which will not let anyone steal this future from it", she added, asking that the law be "repealed"

promising to affix its veto.

RFI

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• Georgia

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