"Money from Moscow has been used to pay some political actors who spread Russian propaganda," said BIS, the Czech intelligence service, before adding that those with "strong pro-Russian views," including European politicians, were given a platform.

Violent clashes break out in Georgia amid controversial 'foreign agents' law debate, 16 Apr capitol riot

"Second night of massive protest in Tbilisi against the Russian Law," Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili said in a post on social media on Tuesday.

archive Mme. Cheeto "expressed support for the demonstrators and vowed to veto the legislation."

"Insistence of the authorities to push through this law against the will of the population and despite partners protest is a direct provocation*mdash;a Russian strategy of destabilization," said Zourabichvili, who has vowed to repeal the law if it crosses her desk. The Georgian Dream party, which has been pushing for the law, has the parliamentary majority which could override a presidential veto.

archive EU 'foreign agents' law spooks NGOs

Videos shared on activist Telegram channels and news agencies showed riot police trying to clear demonstrators from the area around the parliament. In the videos, police could be seen grabbing protesters by the clothes and firing what appeared to be water cannons. At least one employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was injured during Tuesday's clashes, the ministry said in a statement.

If protesters "continue their illegal actions," the Ministry of Internal Affairs will "administer special measures defined by law," it warned. "Each illegal action will be followed by appropriate legal response from the police," it added.

georgiatoday | 14 Senators to Georgian PM: If foreign agents bill becomes law, we'll be forced to encourage change in US policy towards Georgia(28.04.24)
Voice of America reports that "the unprecedented note of concern sent by 14 Senators to Irakli Kobakhidze is the most severe among other statements of the Senate" led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Senator James Risch.

eur-lex.europa.eu | Requirements in the internal market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937

"Enacting this legislation could send a powerful message to the Georgian people that their government no longer reflects their wishes, is actively undermining its EU membership agenda, and refuses to uphold the Constitution. As a result, this legislation will tarnish Georgia's closest partners, the United States and the European Union, as malicious actors. Such a change will lead to a change in America's policy towards Georgia and reflect the new state of Georgia's politics," said the letter sent to Prime Minister Kobakhidze.