In Georgia, the government’s latest crackdown on civil society and independent media has deepened fears that the country is slipping further into authoritarianism. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, a state body tasked with policing financial transparency, has ordered more than 60 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets to disclose detailed information about their funding sources, grants, and operations. Civil society leaders, journalists, and legal experts warn that the measures are designed less to promote accountability and more to intimidate and ultimately silence critical voices.

The Bureau began sending official letters earlier this week, demanding that targeted groups hand over extensive records dating back months, including donor agreements, amendments, and reports of financial transactions. Recipients were told they had just three days to comply or else face the prospect of court action. Among those contacted were the Governance Monitoring Center (GMC), the Civil Society Foundation, and iFact, an investigative journalism outlet that is part of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) network.

The demands are rooted in legislative changes that Georgia’s parliament adopted on April 16, amending the “Law on Grants.” The new rules stipulate that media outlets and civil society groups cannot receive foreign grants unless they are first approved by a government-appointed body. Donors themselves must submit draft agreements for approval before disbursement can take place. In effect, these changes give the state sweeping authority to monitor and restrict how independent organizations are funded, undermining their ability to operate freely.

For many observers, the Bureau’s actions confirm long-held fears that the law was designed as a weapon against independent organizations, not as a genuine attempt to prevent corruption. “Several........

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