After protests: Georgia releases prisoners How Infantino fooled FIFA by eliminating two strict controllers

In Georgia, almost everyone arrested during the mass protests of the past few days has been released. On Thursday, 132 people arrested the previous day during demonstrations against a new bill to register foreign money flows and register “foreign agents” were released. Under pressure from the street, the ruling party, the Georgian Dream, announced its withdrawal from the project.

Nevertheless, thousands of people protested again in the evening in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The rallies remained calm this time, a reporter from the German news agency reported on the spot. In the days before, the police had used water cannons and tear gas, among other things.

The demonstrators now demanded a parliamentary session for the effective repeal of the law already passed at first reading and the release of all prisoners. The Ministry has now agreed to this. However, it announced in a statement that it would continue to prosecute violence against police officers and damage to public property. Windows were smashed in the parliament building.

The parliament of the South Caucasus Republic is expected to officially decide on Friday to withdraw the legislative initiative. Critics have accused the government of drafting the planned law based on the Russian model and paving the way for an authoritarian orientation in Georgia. They also saw the EU prospects of the former Soviet republic in jeopardy. There was also international criticism from the EU and the US.

In Russia, numerous non-governmental organizations and independent media have been labeled as “foreign agents”. The ordinance has been criticized internationally as a politically motivated measure to stigmatize and silence Kremlin critics. (sda/dpa)