Another night of violence has unfolded in Georgia as police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters opposing the so-called “Russian law.”
The “foreign agents” bill would require organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence.
Georgian critics say the bill is inspired by laws used to suppress dissent in Russia.
It is opposed by many civilians, who oppose Russia after Vladimir Putin’s war letter against their country in 2008.
Despite this, GeorgiaParliament passed the bill in second reading on Wednesday afternoon.
Growing protests have taken place on the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, almost every night for a month, and on Wednesday night, a crowd of tens of thousands shut down the city center in the largest anti-government demonstration yet.
Protesters have gathered in the capital almost every night for a month. Photo: AP
Police use tear gas against protesters. Photo: AP
An injured protester receives first aid near the Parliament building in Tbilisi. Photo: AP Photo
Police officers dispersed a crowd near the parliament building using tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon.
Protesters regrouped, some lighting a bonfire while others attempted to block key roads. A witness saw at least one man with a bloody face being taken away.
Earlier in the day, clashes also broke out during Georgia’s frequently noisy parliament when a pro-government MP threw a book at an opposition lawmaker while others physically clashed.
Levan Khabeishvili, leader of Georgia’s largest opposition bloc, spoke with his face heavily bandaged. He said he had broken facial bones and was missing four teeth after being beaten by police at the protest the previous day.
He previously posted a photo of his injuries on social media:
‘Georgia has to choose: Europe or Russia?’
Georgia has a president and a prime minister, and the former has attacked the latter and his ruling party, warning them: “The issue at stake is much bigger than this bill.”
President Salome Zourabichvili told Sky News that the battle “against Russian domination” is “a long fight that Georgia has won many times so far.”
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Why are there protests in Georgia?
“The young part of the population…does not want to retreat under Russian influence,” he said. “What is very profound, and what is not accepted by the entire population of Georgia, is what the ruling party of Georgia has said, which declares that the West is an enemy and an agent.”
“What is at stake is the existential choice that Georgia will have to make before the elections: Europe or Russia?”
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Georgia is one of dozens of countries with general elections due in 2024, due to take place at the end of October.
The president has vowed to veto the bill, as well as all others passed by the current ruling party.