Why were Georgians protesting this week?

"They dropped me on the ground and kept kicking me and punching me," Ted Jonas, an American lawyer who lives in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, told RTÉ News .

Critics have said that the 'foreign influence' bill is authoritarian and inspired by Russia's foreign agent law, and will stifle debate given that it will apply to media groups and NGOs. He estimates that he was punched and kicked at least 20 times by a group of 10 to 15 Georgian riot police.The leader of Georgia's pro-western opposition party, the United National Movement , Levan Khabeishvili, was badly beaten and posted pictures of his bruised face on social media.

They believe that the proposed law will derail Georgia’s chances of becoming an EU member state and push Georgia closer to Russia's sphere of influence. He claimed the so-called"global war party" had pushed Georgia into a brief war with Russia in 2008, and that"non-transparent funding" of NGOs was being used to"appoint the authorities of Georgia from abroad".

On Wednesday, elected representatives in Georgia's parliament voted 83 votes to 23 to approve a second reading of the 'foreign influence' bill, sparking another night of protest outside parliament.The bill will now go to Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili who will veto it.

Europe World

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Georgian security forces and protesters clash over ‘foreign agent’ BillRiot police use pepper spray and batons to clear demonstrators with proposed legislation seen as authoritarian and Russian-inspired
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Cork couple buy and renovate vacant Georgian home for €225,000The couple gave themselves one year and a budget of €130,000 to complete the restoration and renovation of the four-bedroom Georgian property, whose façade is protected, called Parson’s House
Source: RSVPMagazine - 🏆 7. / 76 Read more »

See How This Irish Georgian Farmhouse Was Reimagined Into A Contemporary Industrial-Style Family HomeAn unconventional layout, a reimagined interior and strong design direction breathes new life into a classic Irish Georgian farmhouse…
Source: TheGlossMag - 🏆 9. / 68 Read more »

Restored Georgian gem on Leinster Square for €1.45mConservation architect helped bring number 33, formerly laid out as flats, back to its original glory
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Watch: Georgian MPs brawl amid 'foreign agent' debateGeorgian politicians came to blows in parliament yesterday as ruling party legislators looked set to advance a controversial bill on 'foreign agents' that has been criticised by Western countries and sparked protests at home.
Source: rtenews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Georgian MPs brawl as 'foreign agent' bill consideredGeorgian politicians came to blows in parliament today as ruling party MPs looked set to advance a controversial bill on 'foreign agents' that has been criticised by Western countries and sparked protests at home.
Source: rtenews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »