Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
2
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
Georgia: Russian exiles inspired by protests but scared
FRANCE 24 English
Follow
5/20/2024
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
News
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
With Georgian and EU flags in hand, these demonstrators resemble those around them outside
00:05
the Tbilisi parliament. But they have a point of difference. They are Russians exiled in
00:11
the country, standing alongside Georgians.
00:14
"All those horrors happening in Russia might happen here if the law is enacted. As a Russian
00:20
citizen I think it is important to show my solidarity."
00:24
They are protesting the foreign influence law passed by parliament this week, which
00:28
would require organisations financed from abroad to register with the authorities.
00:34
For many Russians in Georgia, it reminds them of a similar law passed in their home country
00:39
in 2012 that led to the closure of non-government organisations and independent media.
00:45
"I saw how my country slowly slipped into dictatorship, how the screws were gradually
00:51
tightened. And when I read the government's words and realised its motives, I understood
00:59
that the Russian scenario is repeating. The worst thing is that the motives are the same."
01:07
But their solidarity doesn't prevent tensions arising. In Tbilisi, there is graffiti calling
01:12
on Russians to go home. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Georgia has seen an influx of
01:17
refugees fleeing military mobilisation. Now, more than 100,000 Russians are currently in
01:24
the country.
Recommended
1:48
|
Up next
Georgia rocked by turmoil as police clash with protesters
FRANCE 24 English
11/29/2024
4:12
Polling station protests show anti-Putin sentiment amongst Russians
FRANCE 24 English
3/17/2024
1:56
Georgia cracks down on pro-EU protesters with new fines
FRANCE 24 English
12/31/2024
1:45
US accuses Russia's RT news outlet of election interference
FRANCE 24 English
9/5/2024
6:23
Georgia goes to polls: Choice between Russia and democratic EU
FRANCE 24 English
10/26/2024
2:06
Georgia sees third night of mass protests after ruling party suspends EU talks
FRANCE 24 English
12/1/2024
7:04
Russia likely to seek lifting of US sanctions, expert says
FRANCE 24 English
2/18/2025
1:33
Georgian protesters clash with police after suspended EU talks
FRANCE 24 English
11/30/2024
9:46
Russian Rights Defender On Trial
FRANCE 24 English
6/8/2023
1:32
Russian-born Telegram founder Durov arrested in France
FRANCE 24 English
8/26/2024
2:00
Georgia inaugurates Mikheil Kavelashvili as president
FRANCE 24 English
12/29/2024
3:29
‘There’ll be nothing left’: Pokrovsk residents flee Russian advance
FRANCE 24 English
9/23/2024
0:32
Russia Lunar Mission
FRANCE 24 English
8/11/2023
1:53
US, Russia complete largest post-Soviet prisoner swap
FRANCE 24 English
8/2/2024
1:44
Outrage and sorrow at death of Ugandan athlete Cheptegei
FRANCE 24 English
9/6/2024
2:07
V2 Syria
FRANCE 24 English
9/1/2024
7:28
Entre nous
FRANCE 24 English
7/7/2025
6:55
Entre Nous US Ballot
FRANCE 24 English
10/23/2024
1:20
French left to hold protests as new PM takes office
FRANCE 24 English
9/7/2024
2:14
Russia hits Kyiv with deadly drone and missile attack
FRANCE 24 English
6/17/2025
1:18
Georgia's ruling party to inaugurate disputed president amid political crisis
FRANCE 24 English
12/28/2024
1:00
Uganda detains opposition lawmakers, trial postponed for second time
FRANCE 24 English
8/27/2024
4:12
Civilians in Ukraine's Pokrovsk 'bearing the brunt of war with Russia'
FRANCE 24 English
9/23/2024
3:21
Vaez 2
FRANCE 24 English
9/28/2024
8:53
Ukraine classified war plans leaked
FRANCE 24 English
4/7/2023