Georgia opposition urges UK to oppose 'Russian law'
By James Landale
Georgian opposition leaders have called on the UK to do more to oppose what they say is a crackdown on civil society in the former Soviet country.
They urged the foreign secretary to show the governing party that the international community was united against the proposals.
The Transparency of Foreign Influence Bill is expected to pass its final parliamentary hurdles in coming days.
Opponents have staged mass protests in the capital Tbilisi against the law.
The legislation would force non-governmental groups and media to register as “organisations serving the interest of a foreign power” if more than 20% of their funding comes from overseas.
The governing Georgian Dream party says the measure would increase transparency and defend Georgia’s sovereignty.
But opponents say it will be used by the government to crush opposition voices and parties ahead of a general election in October.
