Deputy Head of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, proposes to amend the law on control over the activities of persons under foreign influence, taking as a basis certain provisions of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), RBC reported on April 17.   

Medvedev reportedly accused the United States of organizing mass protests in Georgia, where the relevant law is discussed.

“Anyone who calls such actions spontaneous protests let him be the first to throw a stone at his own mirror.  Behind all these rallies is an experienced and familiar Hollywood hand,” the Security Council deputy head was cited as saying.  

It is to be noted that Georgia's parliament approved the first reading of a bill on “foreign agents” today.  Georgian media outlets report that the bill has provoked several days of protests by critics who see it as authoritarian and Russian-inspired.

Medvedev reportedly also noted that Western politicians “criticized the adoption of a law obliging non-profit organizations with foreign funding to register in a special register in Kyrgyzstan.” 

According to him, in particular, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern. 

Medvedev further noted that laws on foreign agents are in force in Hungary, Australia and other countries, for example.  

“But in these cases, Washington and Brussels are quite happy with everything. No complaints or condemnations,” writes Medvedev.  “We also need to change the law, taking as a basis some provisions of the US one.   For example, to establish criminal liability for foreign agents, as it is in the United States.”