The Georgian Parliament passed a controversial bill on "foreign agents" in the first reading, sparking mass protests in the country. The document was supported by 83 deputies, with no one voting against it.

This was reported by the Echo of the Caucasus.

The bill will require organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. It is likely to be adopted by the parliament controlled by the ruling party "Georgian Dream" and its allies.

Opponents argue that this law will harm Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union.

However, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has already stated in an interview with the BBC that she will veto the law if it is approved by parliament.

Critics have compared the bill to Russian legislation used by the Kremlin to suppress dissent. Failure to register or submit a financial declaration within the specified deadlines carries a fine of $9,000.

Last year, the bill was withdrawn after two days of mass protests and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.