01:50Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on Monday became the epicentre of intense clashes between protesters and police, during the latest demonstration against the 'foreign agent' legislation near parliament.
Footage also shows large gatherings of locals near the Georgian parliament's gates, as they shouted and waved both national and EU flags, with law enforcement attempting to contain the crowds.
On Monday, media reports claimed the Georgian parliament's legal committee took just 67 seconds to consider and vote on the law - without opposition MPs present - ahead of a vote at a third reading scheduled for Tuesday.
Committee Chairman Henri Ohanashvili also highlighted that the third reading was limited to making editorial revisions.
The latest widespread protest erupted in Tbilisi on Sunday evening. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry's press office, the unrest led to the detention of 20 individuals; among them three foreigners. Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri stated on Sunday that those attempting to blockade the parliament could face imprisonment of up to four years.
Protests have been ongoing in Tbilisi, while lawmakers have already passed the bill on its first and second readings. The third reading and vote this week is required before it can become law.
Western nations and blocs, including the US, UK and EU, have condemned the legislation, with the latter releasing a statement warning that the law 'is not in line with EU core norms and values' and would 'negatively impact Georgia's progress on its EU path'.
Earlier, Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support for those protesting against the law outside parliament and pledged to veto the bill.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 per cent of funding from abroad would be required to register as 'foreign agents'.
Critics have compared the bill to what they see as 'Russian' laws intended to stifle dissent, while the governing party claims the move is about transparency and protecting democracy from foreign interference and imposed 'pseudo-liberal values'.
Violent confrontations break out during protests against 'foreign agent' legislation near Tbilisi parliament
Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on Monday became the epicentre of intense clashes between protesters and police, during the latest demonstration against the 'foreign agent' legislation near parliament.
Footage also shows large gatherings of locals near the Georgian parliament's gates, as they shouted and waved both national and EU flags, with law enforcement attempting to contain the crowds.
On Monday, media reports claimed the Georgian parliament's legal committee took just 67 seconds to consider and vote on the law - without opposition MPs present - ahead of a vote at a third reading scheduled for Tuesday.
Committee Chairman Henri Ohanashvili also highlighted that the third reading was limited to making editorial revisions.
The latest widespread protest erupted in Tbilisi on Sunday evening. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry's press office, the unrest led to the detention of 20 individuals; among them three foreigners. Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri stated on Sunday that those attempting to blockade the parliament could face imprisonment of up to four years.
Protests have been ongoing in Tbilisi, while lawmakers have already passed the bill on its first and second readings. The third reading and vote this week is required before it can become law.
Western nations and blocs, including the US, UK and EU, have condemned the legislation, with the latter releasing a statement warning that the law 'is not in line with EU core norms and values' and would 'negatively impact Georgia's progress on its EU path'.
Earlier, Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support for those protesting against the law outside parliament and pledged to veto the bill.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 per cent of funding from abroad would be required to register as 'foreign agents'.
Critics have compared the bill to what they see as 'Russian' laws intended to stifle dissent, while the governing party claims the move is about transparency and protecting democracy from foreign interference and imposed 'pseudo-liberal values'.
Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on Monday became the epicentre of intense clashes between protesters and police, during the latest demonstration against the 'foreign agent' legislation near parliament.
Footage also shows large gatherings of locals near the Georgian parliament's gates, as they shouted and waved both national and EU flags, with law enforcement attempting to contain the crowds.
On Monday, media reports claimed the Georgian parliament's legal committee took just 67 seconds to consider and vote on the law - without opposition MPs present - ahead of a vote at a third reading scheduled for Tuesday.
Committee Chairman Henri Ohanashvili also highlighted that the third reading was limited to making editorial revisions.
The latest widespread protest erupted in Tbilisi on Sunday evening. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry's press office, the unrest led to the detention of 20 individuals; among them three foreigners. Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri stated on Sunday that those attempting to blockade the parliament could face imprisonment of up to four years.
Protests have been ongoing in Tbilisi, while lawmakers have already passed the bill on its first and second readings. The third reading and vote this week is required before it can become law.
Western nations and blocs, including the US, UK and EU, have condemned the legislation, with the latter releasing a statement warning that the law 'is not in line with EU core norms and values' and would 'negatively impact Georgia's progress on its EU path'.
Earlier, Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support for those protesting against the law outside parliament and pledged to veto the bill.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 per cent of funding from abroad would be required to register as 'foreign agents'.
Critics have compared the bill to what they see as 'Russian' laws intended to stifle dissent, while the governing party claims the move is about transparency and protecting democracy from foreign interference and imposed 'pseudo-liberal values'.