Italy condemns use of force against Georgians protesting ‘foreign influence’ bill

ROME

Italy on Thursday condemned the use of force against people protesting for weeks against the “foreign influence” bill in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

“We condemn the use of violence during the demonstrations in the capital,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Watchdogs and the Western government have condemned police crackdown on protesters, who criticize the bill as “anti-democratic.”

Security forces used teargas, stun grenades and water cannons against the protesters, tens of which were also arrested.

The protests in Georgia began on April 17, when the country’s parliament approved a first reading of the Transparency of Foreign Influence law, which would require groups receiving more than 20% of their funding from outside Georgia to register with the state registry.

The parliament passed the second reading of the bill on Wednesday. For the bill to become law, it needs to be approved in three subsequent readings in parliament.

Several other Western governments have also criticized the bill.

“I am deeply concerned that in recent weeks the Georgian government’s choices have moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future, a destination desired by the overwhelming majority of Georgians,” US Ambassador in Georgia Robin Dunnigan, said in a statement on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, the ruling party appears determined to advance legislation that the European Union has clearly said is incompatible with EU Georgia’s aspirations.”

Tajani said Italy supports Georgia’s entry into the EU and that it is closely following what is happening in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital.