Prepared by Messenger Staff
Parliament Passes 'Foreign Agents Registration Act' in Second Reading
With 86 votes in favor, the Parliament of Georgia has unanimously adopted the "Foreign Agents Registration Act" in its second reading. The bill, introduced by the Georgian Dream party, establishes a framework for registering individuals and entities as agents of a foreign principal. Its enforcement will be overseen by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
- The bill defines key terms such as "agent of a foreign principal" and "foreign force" while outlining the following regulations:
- Public disclosure of applications for registration as a foreign agent, along with relevant documentation.
- Mandatory submission of an annual financial declaration for registered foreign agents.
- Procedures for deregistration of entities previously classified as foreign agents.
- State monitoring mechanisms to identify foreign agents and ensure compliance with the law.
Failure to register as a foreign agent or noncompliance with the law's requirements will result in criminal liability.
Parliament Approves Bill on 'Treason Against the Homeland' in Second Reading
The Georgian Parliament has approved the initiative to reinstate the "Treason Against the Homeland" article in the Criminal Code, passing the bill in its second reading with 85 votes in favor.
The legislation introduces Article 307 to the Criminal Code, which establishes criminal liability for treason committed by Georgian citizens or stateless persons residing in Georgia. Under this provision, the following acts are classified as treason:
- Violating Georgia's territorial integrity
- Entering into or negotiating unconstitutional treaties
- Compromising Georgia's external security
- Collaborating with foreign intelligence services
- Undermining Georgia's defense capabilities
- Disclosing state secrets
- Espionage
- Conspiracy or rebellion to overthrow Georgia's constitutional order by force
- Sabotage
- Assisting foreign entities or organizations in hostile activities
It is notable that all these offenses are already punishable under various existing articles of the Criminal Code.
The bill was proposed by MPs from the Georgian Dream party and the political group Power of the People.
