Thousands of Georgians gather at concert for arrested protesters

Brussels and Washington have already warned that this step will deter the Black Sea state from its path to the European Union.

This led to nearly two months of daily protests, during which police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse rallies and beat and arrest demonstrators.

On Sunday evening, thousands of people gathered in Tbilisi’s central Republic Square for an open-air concert by Georgian bands and singers.

The aim of the action, according to the organizers, is to “collect donations for the demonstrators arrested during the protests.”

Many concert participants expressed their anger at the ruling Georgian Dream party, which is increasingly facing accusations that it is trying to lead Georgia away from its western orientation and back into Russia’s sphere of influence.

“They have locked up some of us, but we will prevail – Georgian Dream is counting its last months in power,” said 38-year-old graphic engineer Nico Ladaria.

“They passed the Russian-style law against the will of the Georgian people and despite clear warnings that it would destroy Georgia’s prospects of EU membership,” he told AFP.

The law forces NGOs and media organizations that receive at least one-fifth of their funding from abroad to register as “organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”

Georgian Dream stresses that it is committed to Georgia’s European aspirations and says the law will ensure “transparency” regarding Western-funded groups that undermine the country’s sovereignty.

Georgian activists, independent journalists and opposition politicians accuse the government of a concerted campaign of violence and threats.

Tensions have increased ahead of parliamentary elections in October, which are seen as a key democratic test.

Georgia’s accession to the EU is enshrined in the country’s constitution and, according to opinion polls, is supported by more than 80 percent of the population.

im/rlp