US, EU support Georgian people, their struggle against pro-Russian Gov’t recognized – TI Georgia head

Eka Gigauri, the Executive Director of Transparency International – Georgia, said on Monday that the Georgian people have substantial support from both the US and Europe, emphasizing  “our struggle is recognized, despite having a pro-Russian government and being a neighboring country of Russia. We have managed to preserve the independence of our country.”

At the end of May, the Parliament of Georgia overrode the President’s veto on the controversial foreign influence transparency law. Despite widespread protests in Georgia, persistent appeals from Western nations, and critical feedback from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, the ruling Georgian Dream government remained committed to the legislation. 

The law mandates that non-governmental and media organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their income from abroad be classified as “organizations carrying the interests of a foreign power.” 

These organizations, which claim the authorities aim to suppress them similar to Russia, must register in a special registry and submit an annual financial declaration. Non-compliance will result in a fine of 25,000 GEL for the first offense.

On June 6, the US implemented the “first tranche” of sanctions against Georgian government officials, including travel bans on “dozens” of individuals. The sanctions target members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, other members of parliament, law enforcement, and private citizens and their immediate family members for “undermining democracy” in the country.