A register for registering non-governmental organizations and media outlets funded from abroad, which was created on the basis of the controversial law on foreign agents, has been launched in Georgia. UNN reports this with reference to News Georgia.
"Starting August 1, organizations that meet the criteria can apply," said Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze at a briefing on July 30.
The law obliges non-governmental organizations and media outlets with more than 20% of their funding coming from abroad to register. They are declared organizations representing "the interests of a foreign power." They have one month to register with the registry, until September 1.
The Georgian Ministry of Justice will then begin monitoring to identify those who have evaded. It is not yet clear how it will be conducted, the publication notes.
By January 1, 2025, organizations must submit income tax returns for 2023 to the Ministry of Justice. After January 1, they must publish data on the source and purpose of funding for 2024.
Non-registration and failure to submit a declaration is punishable by a fine of 25 thousand GEL. Subsequently, another 20 thousand GEL will be charged for each month of delay .
For reference
The "Law on Foreign Agents," officially called the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence," was passed in the final reading by the Georgian parliament on May 14. President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed it on May 18. On May 28, the parliament overrode it.
People nicknamed the law "Russian" because of its similarity to the current EU law. After the adoption of the law, the EU suspended some of its aid to Georgia, and the United States postponed military exercises indefinitely.