Georgia’s PM defends controversial grant law, citing national security concerns

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday defended the ruling party proposed controversial amendments to the Law on Grants, claiming they aim to counter what he described as the “artificial sowing of hatred in Georgian society through foreign-funded NGOs”.

In his press comments, Kobakhidze asserted that the law did not target foreign grants but sought to prevent external actors from exacerbating divisions within the country. Under the proposed amendments, receiving foreign funding would require approval from the government or a designated authority.

“We will not allow anyone to artificially sow hatred in Georgia through grants, through NGOs, and to artificially divide society,” Kobakhidze stated. “This law is a very important step forward in our efforts to oppose the artificial sowing of hatred in our society”, the PM claimed.

He further argued that “opaque external funding” from organizations such as USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) had “previously been used to destabilize other nations”. He pointed to recent “admissions” from the United States and European bodies, suggesting that “foreign-backed NGOs have been involved in inciting radicalism and division within Georgia”.

“Everything is as clear as day,” Kobakhidze said. “You can see who is funding the organizations that are engaged in inciting radicalism and sowing hatred in Georgia. We must make all of this completely transparent to firmly protect the security of Georgia”, he added.

The proposed amendments, which have sparked criticism from opposition groups and human rights organizations, are being framed by the government as a necessary measure to protect the country’s stability from external interference. Critics, however, argue that the law could restrict the operations of legitimate NGOs and curtail democratic freedoms.