The Georgian Dream ruling party has announced the establishment of a database to document individuals implicated in threats and coercion. 

Following the Georgian Dream political council meeting, Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili announced during a press briefing at the party headquarters that the GD would commence the formation of a database through its organizational channels. 

This database will compile information concerning individuals "engaged in violence, unlawful activities, threats, and coercion, or publicly supporting such behaviors”, he said. Papuashvili emphasized that this database will be accessible to the public via a designated website, ensuring transparency for Georgian citizens.

Papuashvili asserted, "all necessary measures will be taken against these individuals within the confines of constitutional and legal frameworks to ensure that infractions, violence, and threats do not go unanswered by the state or society."

Regarding criminal offenses and administrative transgressions, Papuashvili clarified that appropriate authorities will address them accordingly. He delineated instances of "verbal aggression, threats, and coercion" that may not meet the criteria for criminal prosecution. Additionally, he highlighted situations where individuals face pressure, coercion, or blackmail, particularly affecting their families, which may not be classified as criminal activities. In such cases, Papuashvili stressed the importance of moral evaluation, indicating that individuals should be held accountable on moral grounds.

While underscoring the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and expression in Georgia, Papuashvili underscored that the primary objective of establishing this database was for the public to evaluate the "moral intimidation" tactics employed by the United National Movement opposition and its affiliates.

The ruling party  pushed forward the  foreign transparency bill in its second reading on May 1, despite ongoing mass demonstrations in the capital city. 

The proposed law mandates that media outlets and non-governmental organizations funded by foreign entities must register as "organizations representing foreign interests". Originally introduced last year, the draft law initially labeled these entities as "agents". However, in the latest iteration of the bill, the parliamentary majority opted for a change in terminology while maintaining the essence of the registration requirement.

The Speaker of the Parliament cited a statement from the State Security Service earlier during the day, warning of the potential for events reminiscent of the civil unrest of the 1990s amidst the ongoing protests against the bill.

In a separate development on May 7, civil activists, journalists, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, who demanded the repeal of the bill, reported receiving harassing phone calls from unidentified individuals.