“The new repressive law bans party membership for those who have worked in non-governmental organizations funded from abroad!” Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, wrote on social media.

“Terror in Georgia. The new repressive law bans party membership for those who have worked in NGOs funded from abroad! A ruthless step by the ruling party to suffocate free political life and drag Georgia toward the Russian model,” Zurabishvili wrote.

For information: Georgian Dream plans to implement a series of legislative changes. Amendments will be introduced to the Law on Grants. More specifically, the definition of a grant will be clarified to state that a grant is considered any funds - in monetary or in-kind form - transferred by any person to any person, which are used or may be used, with the belief or intent of influencing the Georgian authorities, state institutions, or any part of society, for activities carried out or to be carried out that aim to shape, implement, or change Georgia’s domestic or foreign policy. This also includes activities stemming from the political or public interests, approaches, or relations of a foreign government or a foreign political party. Receiving such a grant will only be possible with the prior approval of the Government of Georgia.

According to planned amendments to the Criminal Code, violation of the rules established by the Law on Grants will result in a fine, community service of 300 to 500 hours, or imprisonment for up to 6 years.

Criminal liability will also apply to a senior official of a political party who receives foreign funding. This violation will likewise result in a fine, community service of 300 to 500 hours, or imprisonment for up to 6 years.

External lobbying will also become a criminal offense.

In addition, amendments are being made to the Organic Law “On Political Associations of Citizens.” Specifically, a person employed under a labor contract by an organization that receives more than 20% of its annual income from a foreign power will be prohibited from membership in a political party for 8 years.

Furthermore, legislative changes are planned regarding public political activity by business entities: a business entity engaging in public political activity unrelated to its core business operations will be fined 20,000 GEL, and in the case of repeated or subsequent offenses, 40,000 GEL.