**The Daily Beat Resumes Reporting**
After being forced to suspend reporting due to the flu, we are back in business. Here’s a recap of last week’s main developments.
**New Law Targets Opposition Groups**
Georgian Dream’s parliamentary leader, Mamuka Mdinaradze, announced a bill that would ban opposition groups deemed “hostile” to the state. He said the law targets forces like the United National Government, calling them “anti-Georgian, anti-constitutional, and criminal.”
**Parliamentary Commission Continues Hearings**
The Georgian Dream parliamentary commission continued its hearings into alleged systemic crimes under the previous government. They summoned Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, leaders of the Lelo party, who refused to testify.
**Investigation Against Lelo Leader**
As a result of not appearing before the commission, an investigation has been launched against Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Lelo party. He faces a possible fine or up to one year in prison.
**Public Outraged Over Commission’s Actions**
The commission’s move to summon former high-ranking military officers and place blame on the Georgian side for initiating hostilities during the 2008 war has sparked outrage among the public and veterans.
**President Visits Baltic States**
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili visited the Baltic states, meeting with top officials from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. She urged them to act swiftly to prevent Georgia from falling under Russian influence.
**New Ambassadors Appointed**
The foreign ministry announced the appointment of new ambassadors to Turkey, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Cuba.
**Opposition Leader Detained**
Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, was detained by police during a rally. She reported experiencing degrading treatment while in custody.
**US Senate Passes Bill Supporting Georgia**
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bipartisan bill reaffirming support for the Georgian people and the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration. The legislation includes provisions for sanctions against officials of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
**Council of Europe Concerned About Democratic Backsliding**
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution highlighting concerns regarding democratic backsliding and the challenges affecting the rule of law, human rights, and public confidence in democratic institutions in Georgia.
**Human Rights Commissioner Urges Stronger Protections**
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights urged stronger human rights protections in Georgia. He expressed concerns about the country’s human rights situation and recommended that the government uphold democratic values, ensure accountability for law enforcement abuses, and protect freedoms such as assembly and expression.