Georgians continue to protest against ‘Russian shadow’ hanging over land

Tens of thousands of Georgians braved the rain on Saturday evening. They walked from all corners of the capital Tbilisi to Europe Square, on the bank of the Kura River, to demonstrate. The turnout was larger than at previous demonstrations, estimates ranged from 50,000 to 200,000 people.

On Monday, the Georgian parliament will vote on a controversial law that is very similar to a Russian law used in Russia to silence non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media.

“No Russian shadow over the future of Georgia,” reads one of the many protest signs, held up by a young woman. Other signs read: “No to Russian laws” and “No to Russia, yes to Europe”.

There were also many European flags flying:

Georgians make no bones about it: they believe that their government is following the Kremlin’s tune. And that with the introduction of the Russian-inspired law, their young democracy is at stake.

NGOs restricted

The ‘law on foreign influence’ puts organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their financing from foreign funds under increased supervision. This is similar to the law that has been in force in Russia since 2012, requiring NGOs that receive money from abroad to register as ‘foreign agents’.

In recent years, the Kremlin has used this law to criminalize and silence NGOs and independent media. Georgian organizations fear Russian practices if Tbilisi implements the law, which opponents simply call the ‘Russian law’.

Previously, the term ‘foreign agent’ appeared in the text of the law. Under pressure from the opposition, this has now been replaced by ‘foreign influence’, but according to critics the content remains worrying. In the Georgian version of the law, organizations must register as ‘under the influence of foreign powers’.

‘More than a fight for one law’

“This is more than a fight over one law,” said Levan Tsutskirizde, director of the Eastern European Center for Democracy, an NGO with funding from several EU countries. “We are fighting to keep Georgia free and democratic and to keep Georgia on the path of European integration.”

Last December, Georgia officially became a candidate member of the EU. That moment was greatly celebrated by the population, more than 85 percent of whom are in favor of EU membership. It was therefore a blow when the government reintroduced the law in April.

Last year the government also considered the law, but it was withdrawn after two days of mass protests. This time, despite major protests again, the government plans to persevere.

Tense atmosphere

In the run-up to Monday’s vote, the atmosphere is tense in Tbilisi. The police have regularly used tear gas and rubber bullets at protests. Opposition members and demonstrators were injured by police violence. A number of prominent activists were met at night and beaten up by masked men.

Masked men also hung threatening posters on windows and doorways of NGOs. For example, NGO director Tsutskirizde found posters with his face on the wall of his office and on the window at his home. Below his photo were texts such as: “This is a foreign agent” and “he tells lies with the support of foreign money”. Tsutskirizde says he now has security for the first time in his career.

The posters, masked men and violence strengthen suspicions of Russian interference. “These are clearly Russian-style intimidation tactics,” said Tamar Kintsurashvili, director of a fact-checking NGO. She also found posters with her face on them in the porch of her office. “There is no evidence that this is being coordinated directly with the Kremlin. But what they are doing is in the interest of Russia and no one else.”

Georgians who are rising up are convinced that it is related to a Russian agenda to bring Georgia back into Russia’s sphere of influence and sabotage the country’s EU accession. “For the first time there is a real chance that we will become a member of the EU. The government is now busy taking that perspective away from the population,” says Levan Tsutskirizde.

According to critics, the government is being put under pressure by Russia through the infamous founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanisvili. He is Georgia’s only oligarch and he has strong ties to the Kremlin.

Russian interests

“Russia prefers a loyal authoritarian regime in Georgia,” says Tsutskirizde. As with Ukraine, it is known that Russian President Putin believes that Georgia belongs to Russia. “In fact, we are fighting the same battle as Ukraine,” he says. “Only through different means, hybrid and through politics.”