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Clashes Erupt in Georgia Over Proposed ‘Foreign Agent’ Bill

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Riot police in Georgia deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators protesting against a proposed bill, which the opposition views as an attack on media freedoms. The clashes erupted outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, where protesters hurled eggs and bottles at the police. Despite the retreat of the crowds, confrontations persisted late into Tuesday evening along Rustaveli Avenue, resulting in several injuries and arrests.

The bill, known as the “foreign agent” legislation, received preliminary approval from lawmakers on April 17th. Introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, it mandates that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media outlets, receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources, register as entities “advancing the interests of a foreign power.” These organizations would be subject to oversight by Georgia’s justice ministry and could face penalties, including significant fines.

The passage of the bill’s initial reading sparked a wave of street demonstrations. Reports indicate that several protesters sustained injuries during Tuesday’s clashes in Tbilisi, including Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the main opposition party, United National Movement, who was reportedly hospitalized after a severe beating.

Eyewitnesses also observed instances of police officers physically assaulting protesters, according to Reuters news agency. A number of demonstrators were reportedly taken into custody. However, Georgian authorities have not publicly addressed these allegations of injuries or police misconduct.

Critics of the bill argue for its repeal, contending that it mirrors authoritarian legislation used by Russia to suppress dissent. They fear it could stifle critical voices ahead of this year’s parliamentary elections and impede Georgia’s progress toward EU membership. European leaders and the United States have warned that adopting the foreign agents law would undermine Georgia’s European aspirations.

Despite international concerns, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s government remains steadfast in its support of the bill. Kobakhidze has accused NGOs of attempting to foment revolutions in Georgia and of promoting “gay propaganda.” He maintains that the legislation aims to enhance transparency and denies allegations that it contradicts European values or serves Russian interests.

In response to the protests, Georgian Dream organized its own rally, where party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili criticized Western interference. The situation underscores the deepening divide within Georgia over the bill and its implications for democracy and international relations.

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‘Lost’ Gustav Klimt painting to be auctioned

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An Austrian auction house in Vienna is preparing to auction off a long-lost painting by Gustav Klimt, called “Portrait of Fraulein Lieser,” which he began in 1917, just a year before his death. There’s considerable mystery surrounding the artwork, including the identity of the woman depicted and its whereabouts during the Nazi era.

Art historians suggest the painting might portray Margarethe Constance Lieser, daughter of a wealthy Jewish industrialist, Adolf Lieser. However, the auction house proposes it could also be one of the daughters of Justus Lieser and his wife Henriette, who tragically died in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The exact history of the painting after 1925 remains unclear, but it resurfaced in the 1960s and has since changed hands through inheritances.

The auction is being conducted in accordance with the Washington Principles, an international agreement to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful descendants. However, there are calls for an independent investigation into the case by Erika Jakubovits, the executive director of the Presidency of the Austrian Jewish Community. She emphasizes the importance of thorough and transparent research in art restitution cases.

Klimt’s artworks have previously fetched significant sums at auctions, with “Lady with a Fan” setting a European record when it sold for £85.3m in 2023 at Sotheby’s.

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Ukraine war: Russian diamonds set for ban under new EU sanctions

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The European Commission has proposed extending sanctions on Russia to include diamonds in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is a major global producer of rough diamonds, with a significant portion coming from mines beneath the Siberian permafrost. The proposed ban is part of the EU’s 12th round of measures against Moscow and is set to take effect in January. While previous sanctions covered various Russian exports, including coal, gas, gold, vodka, and caviar, diamonds had been spared, largely due to Belgium’s efforts to protect Antwerp, the global diamond capital. However, pressure to stop Russian diamond supplies has mounted, with concerns about the ethics of funding the Kremlin through diamond purchases.

Antwerp, which has been a diamond hub since the 15th century, has historically relied heavily on Russian diamonds, with over 80% of global rough diamonds traded there before the war. The proposed ban has led some diamond dealers to seek alternative suppliers, though the shift may result in increased costs for both businesses and consumers. Critics argue that importing Russian diamonds is unethical, as a significant portion of the profits goes to the Kremlin. The US banned imports of rough diamonds from Russia and imposed sanctions on the main producer, Alrosa, in April, linking the trade to the conflict in Ukraine.

The ban faces challenges due to the lack of transparency in the diamond trade. Unlike other products with clear certifications of origin, diamonds often lack traceability, changing hands numerous times between the mine and market. This opacity has made the diamond trade attractive to criminal activities. A significant complication is that 90% of global diamond supplies are sent abroad for cutting and polishing, mainly in India, where they are labeled as of Indian origin. Closing this loophole is crucial for the ban’s effectiveness. However, success depends on India’s cooperation, and so far, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not reduced economic ties with Russia.

While some argue that the ban may still allow some Russian diamonds to enter the European market, proponents believe it will discourage the purchase of jewelry financing the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. The diamond industry, particularly in India, remains a significant employer, creating challenges for implementing a ban without causing job losses. Despite these complexities, there is a sense of urgency to address the issue, as Russian diamonds are increasingly associated with war and human rights violations. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed the belief that EU sanctions will have a meaningful impact on reducing support for the conflict.

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Bavarian Deputy Leader Aiwanger Faces Scrutiny Over Historical Anti-Semitic Flyer

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Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger is facing scrutiny over his involvement with an anti-Semitic pamphlet from his school days. Aiwanger, a populist conservative leader, denies writing the pamphlet that mocked the Holocaust, but he has acknowledged possessing it 35 years ago. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has asked Aiwanger to respond to 25 questions regarding the controversy. This issue comes ahead of crucial elections in Bavaria on October 8.

Söder emphasized the importance of transparency and condemned anti-Semitism, asserting that it has no place in the Bavarian government. The state parliament has requested an urgent statement on the matter. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called for clarification, underscoring the need to address anti-Semitism vigilantly.

The pamphlet in question contained references to a fictional competition for “the biggest traitor to the Fatherland,” with a disturbing prize of a “free flight through the chimney in Auschwitz,” referencing the Auschwitz extermination camp where countless Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Aiwanger later admitted to having copies of the pamphlet in his schoolbag during his teenage years, but he couldn’t recall whether he distributed the material himself. He denounced the content as “disgusting and inhumane.”

The situation has generated debates over whether actions from a person’s youth should impact their political career decades later. However, the pamphlet’s offensive content has been widely condemned. In Germany, making light of concentration camps is unacceptable and can have legal consequences due to Holocaust denial being a criminal offense.

Aiwanger’s response to the situation has been criticized for lacking transparency and genuine remorse. Despite his history of fiery and populist rhetoric, he has remained reticent on this matter. Pressure is mounting on Aiwanger, especially from Söder, who aims to maintain the coalition with Aiwanger’s party but is frustrated by the timing of the controversy ahead of crucial elections.

The Free Voters party, led by Aiwanger, is expected to secure 11-14% of the vote, but if support wanes, it could spell trouble for Söder’s conservative Christian Social Union. This situation is particularly significant given upcoming elections in other German states and nationally, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been gaining traction.

The handling of the story by the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has also come under scrutiny, with criticism directed at its headline suggesting Aiwanger wrote the pamphlet, even though his denial was placed behind a paywall for subscribers to access.

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