Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party has announced a new package of sweeping legislative amendments that would significantly tighten state control over foreign funding, while introducing harsh criminal penalties for civil society organisations, independent media, political parties and even some business entities.

The proposed changes, unveiled on January 28 by Irakli Kirtskhalia, chair of Georgian Dream’s parliamentary faction, build on a series of restrictive laws adopted over the past two years.

According to Kirtskhalia, the amendments are aimed at preventing what the authorities describe as “revolutionary processes” in Georgia allegedly financed by foreign donors.

Kirtskhalia said that previous legislation had made financing revolutionary processes more difficult, but loopholes for “circumventing the law” still exist. “We are introducing legislative changes so that no one will be able to find alternative ways to finance unrest and violence in Georgia from outside the country.”

The full legislative package has not yet been published, though officials outlined key elements at the January 28 briefing.

Central among them is a dramatic expansion of the definition of a “grant”. Under the amendments, virtually any monetary or in-kind contribution that could be used to influence government policy, public opinion or political processes – especially if linked to the interests of a foreign government or political party – would require prior government approval.

The changes would also apply to foreign-registered organisations operating largely in Georgia, branches of non-resident entities, and even cases where funds are provided in exchange for technical assistance or expertise.

Violations of the grants law would no longer carry only administrative penalties but could result in criminal charges, including prison sentences of up to six years. An additional aggravating circumstance –  “money laundering for the purpose of engaging in political activities in Georgia” – would be punishable by nine to 12 years in prison.

The new restrictions also apply to political parties. Party leaders could be held criminally liable for receiving foreign funding, while individuals employed by organisations that receive more than 20% of their income from foreign sources would be barred from party membership for eight years. The amendments also criminalise so-called “external lobbying” and impose heavy fines on businesses “engaging in public political activity unrelated to their core operations”.

GD critics say the measures amount to an attempt to eliminate dissent, while civil society figures warn the laws could force organisations to shut down or push professionals, students and activists into silence or exile.

The amendments have drawn sharp criticism from the European Union, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas noting that the issue was likely to be raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

“We are supporters of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and press freedom is one of those,” Kallas stated in Brussels, adding that the EU expects to “take steps against those who are implementing this”.

“I cannot support a government that acts and works against its own people,” stated EU Commission for Enlargement Marta Kos, warning that Georgia is moving further away from its European future and urging the authorities to “stop this absurdity and start working toward a European path”.

The changes are set to be adopted when the GD parliament returns for its spring session on February 3.

The proposed amendments come on top of a broader wave of restrictive legislation adopted by GD over the past two years, including the controversial “foreign agents” law, which GD present as a “direct equivalent” of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as well as changes to the laws on grants and broadcasting.

Under these measures, dozens of civil society groups and independent media outlets have already been subjected to inspections, while several prominent organisations have suspended their work, citing mounting legal and financial pressure.