Georgian parliament launches discussions on “foreign agents” amid scuffles

A joint session of the Georgian Parliamentary Committees on Defence and Security and Foreign Relations to discuss two Russian-inspired draft laws on “foreign agents” endorsed by the ruling majority began with a delay on March 2 and was marred by minor scuffles.

MPs from the ruling party and the opposition were engaged in physical and verbal confrontations before the joint session. Representatives of civil society organisations and the media were not allowed to attend the session, according to Civil.ge.

Teona Akubardia, an independent lawmaker, told TV Pirveli, that a scuffle broke out among MPs after representatives of civil society organisations and the media were not allowed to enter the chamber. She also noted that the discussions were supposed to be held in a large hall, but were moved to a smaller one to prevent civil society and journalists from attending.

Levan Khabeishvili, the chairman of the United National Movement, and Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of “Strategy Agmashenebeli”, announced a rally in front of the Parliament at 18:00 (GMT+4) on March 2. “Georgia will never become a slave of Russia. That is why it is important to demonstrate public power,” Vashadze noted.