Georgian Parliament Approves Divisive "Foreign Influence" Law That Sparked Weeks of Mass Protests

Georgia's parliament has passed a controversial "foreign agents" bill, despite widespread opposition and mass street protests. The bill requires media organizations and non-governmental groups to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power", which critics argue is modeled after similar laws in Russia used to crack down on independent news media, nonprofits, and activists critical of the Kremlin. The government claims the bill is necessary to stem harmful foreign influence over the country's politics. The opposition has denounced the bill as "the Russian law" and fears it will be used to strip civil rights.