Georgian Parliament approves transparency bill at first hearing amid protest

The Georgian Parliament on Tuesday approved the transparency bill at the first hearing that involves registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “agents of foreign influence” if they derive more than 20 percent of their income from abroad, local media said.

Out of registered 113 members at the plenary session of the lawmaking body, 76 MPs supported the bill, proposed by People's Power, a public movement composed of former members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, while 13 voted against it.

The Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the bill would be sent to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe for its opinion.

The confrontation took place between police and the participants of the rally gathered in front of the Parliament building to protest the bill, including the domestic opposition, members of the public, representatives of non-governmental organisations and students, the local media reported.

The protest action in the vicinity of the Parliament building took a violent turn, the participants of the rally attempted to block one of the entrances to the Parliament”, the Interior Ministry said, urging the protesters not to “exceed the limits of freedom of expression and assembly” and noting the officers of the Ministry would apply “all appropriate measures” and would use the “proportional force” to ensure public order and security.