All the norms of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which oblige non-governmental and media organizations to register with the National Public Registry Agency as an organization carrying the interests of a foreign power, are in force from today.
Registration in the register becomes mandatory for all organizations with more than 20% of their income coming from abroad.
Based on the law, at the time of registration, it is necessary to reflect information about the source, amount and purpose of any monetary amount and property value received within the previous year.
Further, the applicant must provide information on the amount and purpose of any money spent during the previous year.
In addition, by the order of the Minister of Justice, the Department of Financial Declaration was established in the National Public Registry Agency. The tasks of the department are to maintain the register of organizations carrying out the interests of foreign forces and ensure publicity, as well as to support the persons authorized by the Ministry in activities provided for by the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”.
The law passed by the Parliament “On the identification of the organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power” gives the Ministry of Justice the authority to conduct research and study-monitoring of the issue at any time.
Avoiding registration as an organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power, or not filling out the declaration, will result in the organization being fined to the amount of 25,000 GEL. The law also provides for the following types of fines: – 10,000 GEL if the organization does not fill out the application form within 10 working days from the entry on the website of the Ministry of Justice; 10,000 GEL for not correcting mistakes in documents within a specified period; 20,000 GEL for committing a legal offense as determined by the Ministry.
