**Georgian Watchdogs Hit with Court Orders, Demanding Sensitive Information**
In a worrying move, five Georgian civil society organizations have been hit with court orders from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. The watchdogs – Transparency International (TI) Georgia, Sapari, Civil Society Foundation, Economic Policy Research Center, and Georgia’s Future Academy – were asked to hand over sensitive information, including confidential data on individuals under their protection.
The court order, which was obtained by Civil.ge, cites provisions from three laws that authorize the Anti-Corruption Bureau to request data from entities. The order specifically requests information on contracts concluded with organizations or individuals between January 1, 2024, and June 10, 2025. This includes budget plans, reports on contract implementation, financial reports, and details about individuals involved in planned or completed activities.
**”Regime’s Enforcer of Russian Laws”**
The court orders have been met with strong opposition from the civil society organizations. Saba Brachveli from the Civil Society Foundation called the move “the regime has officially started to enforce Russian laws.” She noted that the requested information includes lists of beneficiaries, individuals under protection, and even those who attended meetings. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of personal data.
**A Crackdown on Dissent**
The court orders come as Georgian Dream intensifies its legislative crackdown on dissent, particularly targeting independent media and civil society organizations. The order does not reference any of the foreign agents laws passed by the Georgian Dream parliament over the past two years. However, the terms used in the document appear to derive from Georgia’s interpretation of FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act).
This suggests that the court order could ultimately pave the way for requiring watchdogs to register under FARA. Brachveli also noted that the order does not specify the reason for the inspection, and the watchdogs have yet to gain access to the original motion by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
**A Joint Statement of Resolve**
The affected civil society organizations have issued a joint statement, pledging to challenge the orders through legal means. They stated, “We are not going to betray the trust of the citizens under our protection, even if it leads to our persecution and imprisonment.”
**The Context**
This move by Georgian Dream is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Georgia. The regime has been targeting independent media and civil society organizations, using laws such as FARA and other legislative measures. This latest development raises concerns about the erosion of democracy and human rights in the country.
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