Mastodawn

#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."

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

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

Georgian legislation directly mirrors a contentious law Russia passed more than a decade ago to stifle dissent and quash the power of civil society groups.

The Conversation

DoomsdaysCW 5d ago

#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."

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

Georgia: New legislation directly threatens people's right to protest and free expression

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.

CSOMETER

DoomsdaysCW Mar 28

So, they are also coming for pro #Ukraine / #AntiRussia students and professors. Evidence that #Trump is SUCKING UP to #Putin! WHERE WILL IT END?! #RESIST!

#KseniyaPetrova, Russian scientist from Harvard Medical School detained in U.S., faces deportation and likely arrest upon return due to #AntiWar stance

The Insider
27 March 2025

"A Russian scientist working at Harvard Medical School has been detained in the United States and placed in immigration detention. According to multiple independent Russian media outlets and the scientist’s friends, she now faces possible deportation to Russia, where she could be subject to political persecution over her anti-war stance.

"The news of her detention was shared on Facebook by her friend and colleague Cora Anderson. Friends of the scientist also launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised over $14,000 to support her legal and living expenses.
'#Kseniia is in danger,' a person familiar with the case told the Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit’ (lit. “We Can Explain”).

"Kseniia, a Russian bioinformatics researcher, arrived in Boston from the #RepublicOfGeorgia in the spring of 2023 to work at Harvard Medical School. She had been compelled to leave Russia due to her outspoken anti-war stance, which could have led to criminal charges back home. While her surname was not disclosed in the original posts, Mozhem Obyasnit’ was able to locate her Facebook page, suggesting her name is Kseniya (Kseniia) Petrova, a graduate of MIPT (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology). Her page includes multiple posts criticizing the Russian government and denouncing the invasion of Ukraine. Petrova's page on Linkedin listed her as an associate researcher at Harvard Medical School working in Dr. Marc Kirschner's lab in the Department of Systems Biology.

"On Feb. 16, after returning from a trip to France, she was detained at Boston Logan International Airport, where her visa was revoked. When Kseniia stated that she feared persecution if she were to return to Russia, she was transferred to immigration detention, first in Vermont, then in Louisiana. She is now being held in an ICE detention facility, in a room shared with 80 other women. The exact reason for the cancellation of her visa has not been disclosed by her friends."

Russian scientist from Harvard Medical School detained in U.S., faces deportation and likely arrest upon re...

A Russian scientist working at Harvard Medical School has been detained in the United States and placed in immigration detention. According to multiple independent Russian media outlets and the scientist’s friends, she now faces possible deportation to Russia, where she could be subject to political persecution over her anti-war stance.

The Insider

Sim Barr Feb 17

The Final Days of Georgian Nomads

An ongoing photo series by Georgian photographer Natela Grigalashvili documenting an isolated and disappearing community in mountainous Adjara in west Georgia

"To preserve what is being lost. Many of the traditions, lifestyles, and stories I document may not exist in the future."

#natelagrigalashvili #photographer #photography #photoseries #photoessay #georgia🇬🇪 #republicofgeorgia #adjara #photojournalist #photojournalism #fotografia #fotografie #fotografo

Sim Barr Feb 17

The Final Days of Georgian Nomads

An ongoing photo series by Georgian photographer Natela Grigalashvili documenting an isolated and disappearing community in mountainous Adjara in west Georgia

"To preserve what is being lost. Many of the traditions, lifestyles, and stories I document may not exist in the future."

#natelagrigalashvili #photographer #photography #photoseries #photoessay #georgia🇬🇪 #republicofgeorgia #adjara #photojournalist #photojournalism #fotografia #fotografie #fotografo

Sim Barr Feb 17

The Final Days of Georgian Nomads

An ongoing photo series by Georgian photographer Natela Grigalashvili documenting an isolated and disappearing community in mountainous Adjara in west Georgia

#natelagrigalashvili #photographer #photography #photoseries #photoessay #georgia🇬🇪 #republicofgeorgia #adjara #photojournalist #photojournalism #fotografia #fotografie #fotografo

foog7kip Dec 7

Maidan style?

#Elections #Europe #EuropeanUnion #GeneralNews #Georgia #GlobalElections #Politics #ProtestsAndDemonstrations #RepublicOfGeorgia #Russia #TBILISI #voting #WorldNews

Francis Mangion (M)Apr 16, 2024

#RepublicOfGeorgia
https://press.coop/@guardian/112283171992127230

The Guardian :press: (@guardian@press.coop)

Attached: 1 image MPs in Georgia agree draft of ‘repressive’ foreign agents bill amid protests Legislation is seen as similar to an anti-democratic Russian law and Brussels has said it would undermine hopes of EU membershipGeorgian lawmakers have agreed an early draft of a controversial “foreign influence” bill, sparking fresh street protests against the... #press https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/16/mps-in-georgia-agree-draft-of-repressive-foreign-agents-bill-amid-protests?utm_source=press.coop

press.coop