The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Georgia has requested extensive documentation from seven civil society organisations, citing financial transparency and potential political activity. The latest court orders, directed at the Media Development Foundation (MDF) and the Social Justice Center (SJC), follow similar demands made to five other groups: the Civil Society Foundation, Safari, Transparency International — Georgia, the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), and Future Academy. These seven organisations work across areas such as legal and human rights advocacy, governance and transparency, as well as broader civil society support.
Legal justifications cited include the laws on political associations, corruption prevention, and a new grants law requiring prior government approval for foreign funding. The Foreign Agents Registration Act was referenced in at least one motion, though not mentioned in court rulings. This discrepancy has raised legal questions.
The Bureau based its request on laws dedicated to political groups, anti-corruption, and the recent grants law that requires government approval for foreign funding.
The Georgian government maintains the measures are intended to curb foreign influence. Critics, including Amnesty International, have expressed concern over potential impacts on freedom of association. The opposition has boycotted parliament since the contested 2024 elections, allowing the ruling party to pass new legislation without challenge.