Georgia’s ruling party withdraws foreign agents bill

() — The ruling party of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Georgian Dream, has withdrawn its draft law on “foreign agents”, according to Georgian public broadcasting and the official Twitter account of the European Union Delegation in Georgia.

“We welcome the ruling party’s announcement to withdraw the ‘foreign influence’ bill. We encourage all Georgian political leaders to resume pro-EU reforms, inclusively and constructively and in line with the 12 priorities for for Georgia to achieve candidate status,” read the delegation’s message.

On Wednesday, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Georgian parliament to protest the bill, which critics feared would drive a wedge between the country and Europe.

The controversial legislation would have required organizations that receive 20% or more of their annual income from abroad to register as “foreign agents” or face hefty fines, a proposal that rights experts warn would have a knock-on effect. intimidating on the country’s civil society and will harm its democracy.

The Georgian Ministry of Interior detained another 66 people for their involvement in protests against the controversial Foreign Agents Bill, which has since been withdrawn.

“Participants in the demonstration violated public order and the law throughout the night in different places and resisted the police officers,” the statement said.

“The law enforcement officers administratively detained 66 people in accordance with articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code for acts of minor vandalism and disobedience to the legal demands of the police,” it continued.

The announcement brings to 142 the total number of people detained in connection with the protests, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.