“We will respond to the questions, and this will be another victory for the state in international courts, as competent individuals usually represent the state in such proceedings,” said Tengiz Sharmanashvili in a comment to journalists, responding to information from Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association that the European Court of Human Rights has begun examining the merits of a complaint regarding the “Foreign Agents Registration Act.”

According to Sharmanashvili, the state will present arguments on “how to ensure transparency in Georgia and how to protect sovereignty from foreign interference.”

“As the procedure предусматривает, we will respond to these questions, and this will be another victory for the state in international courts, since competent professionals usually represent the state in such matters. We have to provide answers. FARA-type legislation is not unique to Georgia - it also exists in the United States and in EU countries, including France, where it is even more stringent than our law. We will have our arguments on how to ensure transparency in Georgia and how to protect our sovereignty from foreign interference. I am confident that our professionals will clearly demonstrate this,” Sharmanashvili stated.

For reference, according to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the European Court of Human Rights has started the substantive examination of a complaint filed by GYLA and media organizations regarding the “Foreign Agents Registration Act” (FARA) and has sent questions to the state.

At the same time, the chairperson of GYLA, Tamar Oniani, wrote on social media that on April 1 the organization will provide additional details to the public about the substance of the case and the questions posed by the European Court. In her assessment, the law is “intended as a tool to harass media and human rights organizations.”