Georgian president signs US-style "foreign agents" law

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has signed a law on foreign agents, closely resembling the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). 

The legislation, which was passed by parliament in its final reading, has been published on the official portal of Georgia’s Legislative Gazette and will come into force 60 days after publication, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The ruling Georgian Dream party announced in February that it would adopt an exact counterpart of the US FARA law.

Party leaders argue that the new legislation will be more effective than the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law passed in May last year in curbing foreign funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) allegedly seeking to support revolutionary movements in the country.

Unlike its US counterpart, the Georgian law does not apply to individuals and only imposes fines for failing to submit an annual income declaration. By contrast, violations of the US law can result in prison sentences of up to five years.

A government explanatory note states that many foreign-funded NGOs have refused to register, necessitating a law that ensures compliance. It also cites claims from the new US administration that foreign financing has been used to destabilise countries, including Georgia.

According to officials, adopting a model similar to FARA is essential to limit "the influence of external forces on state institutions."

The law will be overseen by Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau.

By Aghakazim Guliyev