NATO Concerned About Foreign Agents Law Draft in Georgia: Kolomina

The Special Representative of NATO Secretary General for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Kolomina, has stated that NATO is concerned about the draft law on foreign agents, which was adopted in its first reading by the Parliament of Georgia.

"NATO is concerned about the draft that was approved in Tbilisi in the first reading. For Georgia, as a NATO candidate, it is crucial to have the right foundation to ensure media freedom and civic participation," Kolomina wrote on social media.

He added, "This draft represents a retreat and does not advance Georgia's goal of Euro-Atlantic integration."

On Wednesday, a protest against the adoption of the foreign agents law began near the building of the Georgian Parliament. The rally proceeded peacefully; however, the situation escalated after opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze from the “Strategy Agmashenebeli” party called on the participants to block the Parliament building. During this time, some protesters started breaking the glass of the Parliament building, damaging barricades, and attempting to storm inside. In response to these actions, the police began using tear gas and water cannons.