Last week in Georgia, 24th Apr, 2025:

(1) The EU is working on a bill to make it easier to suspend visa-free travel with non-EU members, with the Georgian Dream, or the Kotsebi, seeing it as a threat

Picture Credit: [ thegaze.media oc-media.org jam-news.net itv.com ]

#EU #visafree #Georgiandream #Russian #prankster #fines #rustaveli #salmonella #import #ExpatsInGeorgia #ემიგრაციასაქართვე #ბათუმი #georgia

Georgia's main independent TV channel closes.

The clampdown on Georgian media is accelerating.

Starting Thursday, 1 May, the opposition-aligned television channel Mtavari will cease broadcasting amid Tbilisi's growing rapprochement with Moscow and persecution of opponents by the pro-Russian governing party, Georgian Dream.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20250501-georgias-main-independent-tv-channel-closes?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Georgia #Media #TV #Politics #GeorgianDream #Mtavari #PressFreedom #Press #Broadcasting #Europe

The EU is working on a bill to make it easier to suspend visa-free travel with non-EU members, with the Georgian Dream, or the Kotsebi, seeing it as a threat.

This and more in the latest episode of the Rorshok Georgia Update. Click on the link in bio to listen to the full story!
@rorshokgeorgia

#Kotsebi #georgiandream #visafree #EU #GeorgiaNews #ExpatsInGeorgia #ემიგრაციასაქართვე #ბათუმი #georgia

The Georgian government intensifies the repression of its opponents as protests dwindle.

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has increased intimidation and legislative measures to undermine the movement and to ban opposition parties.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20250419-the-georgian-government-intensifies-the-repression-of-its-opponents-as-protests-dwindle?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Georgia #Europe #Politics #Democracy #EU #Protest #GeorgianDream

🇬🇪 GEORGIA
🔴 700 Civil Servants Fired Over Pro-EU Protests

🔸 Since Dec, ~700 public workers were dismissed for backing EU protests.
🔸 Protests erupted after EU talks frozen until 2028.
🔸 Georgian Dream weakened job protections, intensified crackdowns.
🔸 Govt still claims to seek EU membership—while aligning closer with Moscow.

#Georgia #EU #CivilRights #GeorgianDream #Protests #Kobakhidze

#RepublicOfGeorgia: First year of #Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how #autocracies are replicating #Russian model − and speeding up the time frame

Published: March 28, 2025 6:25am EDT

"#Autocracy is on the move worldwide and becoming more resilient.

"One of the driving forces behind this phenomenon is something scholars call '#AuthoritarianLearning,' a process by which autocratic leaders study each other and adapt tactics based on what appears to work, and how to proceed when they encounter #resistance.

"Take Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has steered the Caucasus nation from a path toward democracy back to autocracy – and it has done so by learning from Russia. In particular, it adopted a '#ForeignAgent' law in May 2024 – legislation that came straight from #VladimirPutin’s playbook.

"Sold to the public as increasing #transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s #opposition and arrest #dissidents with impunity.

"As researchers examining the structure and effects of autocratic regimes, we view Georgia’s first year of its foreign agent law as an example of how politicians are not only learning the tactics of Russian authoritarianism but improving on them in a shorter time frame."

Read more:
https://theconversation.com/first-year-of-georgias-foreign-agent-law-shows-how-autocracies-are-replicating-russian-model-and-speeding-up-the-time-frame-250878

#RightToProtest #AntiProtestLaws
#GeorgianLaws #CriminalizingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #HumanRights #RepublicOfGeorgia #GeorgianDream #ProtestSponsors #ExpandedPolicePowers #PoliceState #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Autocracy

#RepublicOfGeorgia: New legislation directly threatens people's right to #protest and #FreeExpression

In a troubling shift toward #authoritarian governance, Georgia’s ruling party has enacted legislative reforms that drastically restrict freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and proposed changes to restrict #media, public participation.

February 10, 2025

"The key changes obstructing people’s right to protest include:

- Expanded organisers' liability;
- Restrictions on spontaneous protests;
- Limitations on protests in enclosed spaces: Protests in closed spaces or buildings now require written consent from the property owner, significantly restricting #student and #workplace #demonstrations. This provision appears to be a direct response to recent protests on #UniversityCampuses;
- Expanded penalties for protest-related offenses: Petty #hooliganism fines have risen from GEL 500-1,000 to GEL 500-2,000 (from maximum approximately 350-700 EUR) , with imprisonment now up to 20 days instead of 15. Verbal insults towards #PoliceOfficers now carry fines of GEL 2,000 5,000 (approx. 700-1750 EUR) or up to 60 days’ imprisonment. Repeat offenses can result in a GEL 3,500-6,000 ( 1200–2100 EUR) fine and extended jail terms. Additionally, individuals accused of "disrupting public order" face severe criminal penalties, including up to 3 years in prison;
- New restrictions on symbolic protest actions: Covering one's face, possessing a laser or light-emitting device, or wearing clothing resembling police or military uniforms during assemblies are now punishable by fines of GEL 2,000 ( 700 EUR) or imprisonment up to 7 days. Such measures are expected to disproportionately impact younger protesters and student-led movements;
- #Broadened law enforcement powers: The Ministry of Internal Affairs now holds increased authority over protest regulation, including the power to block protests that allegedly threaten public order or constitutional stability. Authorities can now use '#EmergencyMeasures' to disperse gatherings, including mass #arrests and prolonged #detentions;
- Increased state control over protest logistics: Protesters are now required to ensure that demonstrations do not obstruct transportation routes. Organisers must take action within 15 minutes of a warning to remove roadblocks or temporary structures, failing which they will face criminal liability;
- Participation in protests previously dispersed by law enforcement is now classified as an offense, subjecting #demonstrators to legal consequences.

"Given that the median salary in Georgia in 2023 was GEL 1,238 (approximately 400 EUR), these fines represent a disproportionate financial burden on protesters, effectively discouraging civic engagement and public demonstrations."

Read more:
https://csometer.info/updates/georgia-new-legislation-directly-threatens-peoples-right-protest-and-free-expression

#RightToProtest #AntiProtestLaws
#GeorgianLaws #CriminalizingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #HumanRights #RepublicOfGeorgia #GeorgianDream #FaceMasks #AntiMaskLaws #ProtestSponsors #ACAB #ExpandedPolicePowers #PoliceState #Authoritarianism #Fascism