Turkey, following in the footsteps of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, and Georgia to name a few, is considering adopting its own version of the controversial foreign agent law, writes Global Voices.

Expected to be submitted to the Grand National Assembly – Turkey’s Parliament - before the end of the legislative year on July 1, 2024, the package includes a legislative amendment that would introduce criminal penalties for what it calls “foreign influence agents” by expanding the definitions of “espionage” and “spying”.

Critics and rights watchdogs say the proposal targets free expression and is simply another legal excuse for the government to target civil society and the public.