On May 31, Georgia’s new foreign agent law took effect. It mandates that individuals and organizations deemed to be acting in the interest of a “foreign principal” to register with the Anti-Corruption Bureau within ten days or face penalties including fines up to ₾10,000 (~$3,600), imprisonment for up to five years, or deportation in the case of foreign nationals. The legislation is broader in scope than Georgia’s 2024 “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, extending criminal liability to individuals, and creating ambiguity around who qualifies as an agent.
When first presented to the Parliament, the bill was described by the ruling Georgian Dream party (conservative party) as a direct, word-for-word translation of the 1938 U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), originally enacted to counter foreign propaganda and influence from hostile powers, particularly Nazi Germany. Legal professionals have pointed out that this literal translation includes references irrelevant to Georgia’s legal and institutional system, such as mentions of the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.
To support enforcement, the Anti-Corruption Bureau launched an online portal and reporting hotline, where citizens are encouraged to report suspected noncompliance by individuals or organizations.
Critics say the law lacks legal clarity and could lead to selective enforcement, and international lawmakers and observers have expressed concern over its potential use against political opposition and civil society groups. Opposition parties, many of whom boycotted the current parliament after the disputed 2024 elections, have also objected to the parliamentary commission investigating foreign influence. However, several opposition leaders have already been detained for failing to comply with commission summons or court-imposed bail, including Nika Melia, leader of the Coalition for Change (pro-Western liberal coalition supporting EU integration) and prominent opposition politician. His arrest on May 30 marks the second high-profile detention after Zurab Japaridze, reinforcing concerns that the commission is being used to suppress dissent ahead of elections.