Georgia moves to adopt local version of US Foreign Agents Registration Act

Member of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party Irakli Kirtskhalia has emphasised that the adoption of a Georgian version of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is critical for preserving the country’s statehood and ensuring its national security.

In early February, officials from the ruling party announced plans to incorporate FARA into Georgia's legal system, alongside eliminating civil sector participation in government decision-making, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media. 

The US version of FARA mandates that foreign agents—including individuals and non-profit organizations receiving foreign funding—must register. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to criminal charges.

"This is vital for our statehood and national security. We have seen the impact of harmful foreign funding that has entered our country, and not just ours. Our nation has successfully avoided numerous attempts at a coup," Kirtskhalia stated. 

Tornike Cheishvili, another member of the ruling party, highlighted the influence of global shadow forces, particularly the so-called "Deep State," and stressed the importance of effective legal measures to counter such threats. Within the ruling party, the "Deep State" is also referred to as the "Global War Party", which Georgian authorities believe represents foreign forces with significant sway over politicians and bureaucrats in the US and EU. In the West, however, such claims are often dismissed as conspiracy theories. 

"The primary argument for incorporating a version of FARA into Georgia's legal framework is to create effective legal guarantees to protect our national interests," Cheishvili added.

The bill will be presented for registration during the parliamentary bureau meeting on February 24.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a US law enacted in 1938 that requires individuals and entities acting as agents of foreign governments or foreign political interests to disclose their activities to the US Department of Justice. The aim of FARA is to promote transparency and inform the American public and government about the influence of foreign powers on domestic politics, media, and policy.

Under FARA, individuals and organisations engaged in lobbying, public relations, or political activities on behalf of foreign entities must register with the Justice Department and submit detailed reports about their work, financial transactions, and any materials they distribute. Failure to comply with FARA can lead to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The law is considered a critical tool for preventing covert foreign influence on US political affairs.

By Naila Huseynova