**Georgian Parliament Approves Controversial “Foreign Agents” Law**
On March 3, the Georgian Parliament approved a new law that will require NGOs, online media, and individuals to register as foreign agents. The law is an update to the previous “foreign agents’ law” that was passed last year despite widespread public protest.
**What’s Changing?**
The current law only applies to organizations, but the new law expands its scope to include all types of entities, including individual service contracts, initiative groups, and individuals working remotely. The new law will also cover online media and CSOs, which were explicitly mentioned in the draft law‘s explanatory note.
**New Obligations**
The new law introduces several new obligations for those who register as foreign agents, including:
* Submitting two copies of every public statement or piece of information to the relevant authority
* Retaining all financial information and documents
* Making a “true and accurate statement” before submitting information to public authorities
**Criminal Liability**
The new law introduces criminal liability for failing to register, with leaders (directors and board members) facing up to five years of imprisonment, a fine, or a combination of both. Individual employees may also face similar criminal liability.
**What’s Next?**
The estimated date for the adoption is April 4, 2025, and it will come into force 60 days after its adoption. The current law is expected to be repealed within this transition period. It is still unclear whether the new law will apply retroactively to relationships established in 2024.
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