The Parliament passed the draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in its second reading with 83 votes in favor and 23 against.

Members of the parliamentary majority decided not to make speeches as the plenary session was to end in an hour. Only Anri Okhanashvili, a member of Georgian Dream, made a final speech.

The Draft recognizes NGOs and media entities as organizations serving the interests of foreign powers that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad. It classifies the foreign powers as: a) the subject within the foreign state system; b) a natural person, non Georgian citizen; c) a legal entity anot established on the basis of the Georgian legislation; d) organizational formation (including the foundation, association, corporation, union etc.) or another union of persons that are based on the basis of the legislation of other country and/or international law.

The Draft regulations: the issues of the submission of the annual financial declaration by the subject registered as an entity serving the interests of foreign powers, annulment of the registration of the subject and evasion thereby from the registration, as well as the imposition of the liability for the failure of the fulfillment of the legal requirements.

Avoiding registration as an organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power or not filling out the declaration will result in the organization being fined in the amount of GEL 25 000. The draft also envisages the following types of fines: GEL 10 000 if the organization does not fill out the application; In case of non-correction of defects in the documents within the specified period GEL 10 000. Committing an offense after a month - GEL 20 000.