Day: June 2, 2025
Georgian ombudsman on foreign agents’ law
According to the Public Broadcaster, Georgian Ombudsman Levan Ioseliani stated that FARA is a US law and cannot be considered undemocratic. What matters, he said, is how it will be incorporated into the Georgian context.
What did Levan Ioseliani say?
“When the law ‘On Transparency of Foreign Influence’ was first proposed, my position was that transparency is a legitimate aim, and going forward we will monitor to what extent this law may in practice restrict the rights of specific individuals or NGOs. In my view, the initial concerns about the law were exaggerated.
As for FARA, it is an American law. Therefore, it cannot be described as undemocratic.
However, we will be watching closely how the Georgian version of FARA plays out in our context, and whether it creates problems for human rights. If anything like that happens, then of course I, as the Ombudsman, will speak out publicly.”
The “Foreign Agents Registration Act,” a verbatim copy of the U.S. FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act), was approved by the Georgian Dream-led parliament on 1 April 2025. Government representatives claim its goal is to limit external interference in the country’s affairs and the work of state institutions.
The law introduces a broad definition of “foreign agent,” applying to any legal or natural persons who receive any funding from abroad and engage in civic, political, or informational activities. Such individuals or organizations are required to register, and failure to comply can lead to fines or imprisonment of up to five years.
Independent legal experts confirm that the text of the law is almost identical to the American FARA, but its purpose has been completely altered. In the U.S., FARA is deliberately not applied to NGOs, media outlets, or organizations serving the public interest. It targets only entities that are “directly subject to the tasks and influence of a foreign government.” Moreover, the U.S. has an independent judiciary. In Georgia, enforcement of the FARA-style law is assigned to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is not an independent body.
It is worth recalling that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos, issued a joint statement describing the adoption of this law as yet another aggressive move by Georgian Dream to suppress dissent.
In January-March 2025, Azerbaijan exported 708.2 million cubic meters of natural gas to Georgia, generating revenues of 93.1 million US dollars, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistical Committee. This marks a significant increase compared to the same period last year, with gas exports to Georgia rising by…
Men And Toolshttps://t.co/GfHnjy2abr
–#NewsAndTimes #NT #TNT #News #Times #World #USA #POTUS #DOJ #FBI #CIA #DIA #DOD #ODNI #Trump #TrumpNews #TRUMPISTAN #Israel #Mossad #Netanyahu #Ukraine #NewAbwehr #OSINT #Putin #Russia #GRU #Путин #Россия #Bloggers #Opinions #SouthCaucasus… https://t.co/Vk77XQC0QX pic.twitter.com/XQgLP6N8jo— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) June 2, 2025
63 people detained at Baku protest
Participants of the protest held under the slogan “Justice for Elgun Ibrahimov,” planned outside the “28 May” metro station, were detained and taken to the Nasimi District Police Department. Reports say the number of detainees stands at 63.
Elgun Ibrahimov was a 17-year-old school student who died under mysterious circumstances. He was found in critical condition in an abandoned dormitory in Ganja and later died in hospital. Pro-government media outlets circulated the version that he had taken his own life. However, his family insists he did not commit suicide, but was beaten to death.
An official statement claimed Elgun died from injuries sustained after falling from a height.
A protest under the slogan “Justice for Elgun Ibrahimov” was scheduled for 1 June in the city centre.
“They were forced to hand over passwords, had their social media accounts accessed, and their fingerprints taken.”
“A stranger messaged me from a fake Instagram account: ‘You’re too active and bold in the comments, don’t make problems for yourself’ — it felt like a threat. I think it might have been the police,” said a social media user who asked to remain anonymous in a comment to JAMnews.
She also noted that accounts featuring photos of police officers and the Interior Ministry logo continue to message activists.
In her statement, she reported that people who were simply near the “28 May” metro station and appeared “suspicious” to the police were detained and taken to the Nasimi District Police Department. Among those detained, she said, were minors.
“All those detained had their phones taken — including my friend. Their passwords were confiscated, their social media accounts accessed, and their fingerprints recorded. The authorities are trying to identify anyone who discussed the protest. Many are receiving fake subscription requests. Those who posted videos from the protest site are being placed under administrative arrest.”
Context
For some time now, various claims have been circulating on social media alleging that the Prosecutor’s Office is failing to conduct a serious investigation into the circumstances surrounding Elgun Ibrahimov’s death.
Meanwhile, several activists have been distributing leaflets with information about Elgun’s case — posting them around the city and handing them out in public. For this activity, civil activist Nidjat Amiraslanov was detained and sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest.
Among the theories being circulated is the allegation that Elgun’s death was a murder committed by police officers.