Georgia has become the center of political debate after Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze accused foreign intelligence agencies of funding protests. He stated that the demonstrations have a similar origin to the Ukrainian Maidan in 2014, and that the government will do everything to prevent the destabilization of the country.

Warning Against a Ukrainian Scenario

Kobachidze stated in his address that the protest movement in Georgia is being financed from abroad, and that a similar mechanism was behind the events in Ukraine. According to him, the revolution there, supported by foreign services, led to serious destabilization of the state and to armed conflicts. He said that Georgia must avoid such a development and protect its state institutions from external interference.

The Georgian television channel Imedi published an investigation alleging that funds for the protests are flowing through the University of Georgia, owned by Giuli Alasanija, the mother of former President Mikheil Saakashvili. The businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili is also implicated in the case, as he allegedly provided financial support to the university. He was previously associated with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and is currently facing a prison sentence for allegedly embezzling thousands of bitcoins.

According to the claims in the report, students involved in organizing the protests are allegedly being paid daily. However, the opposition and part of the public have pointed out that the presented investigation has not yet been substantiated by independent evidence.

Law on Foreign Agents and Public Reaction

Tensions in Georgia have also increased in connection with the adoption of the so-called "transparency of foreign influence" law, also known as the law on foreign agents. The law requires organizations and media outlets that receive more than a fifth of their funding from abroad to register as "entities under foreign influence."

According to the government, the aim of the law is to strengthen transparency and protect national sovereignty. Critics, however, warn that it is a tool similar to the legislation used in Russia to restrict civil society and independent media. Lawyers have pointed out the broad definition of foreign influence, which could lead to abuse of power.

The protests against the law and against government policy have provoked reactions from the European Union and the United States, which have expressed concerns about the potential weakening of democratic institutions. At the same time, calls from the opposition for further demonstrations are emerging in Georgia, especially in connection with the upcoming local elections.

The government maintains that the measures are necessary to protect the country from foreign interference. Prime Minister Kobachidze repeatedly emphasizes that the experience of Ukraine is a warning for Georgia, and that the "Maidan scenario" must not be repeated in Tbilisi.

TASS/gnews.cz - GH