٠٠:٠٣:٤٦Police used water cannons and gas grenades to disperse participants of a mass protest against the law on foreign agents adopted in the first reading in Tbilisi.
The footage shows demonstrators with Georgian and EU flags chanting slogans and booing law enforcement officers, and gunshots are heard. The video also shows medics treating victims of tear gas.
The Georgian Interior Ministry claimed protesters had ignored instructions to clear the entrances to the parliament building for members of parliament (MPs) and legislative staff.
"The protest has significantly overstepped the legal boundaries for public assemblies and has turned violent. Consequently, the Interior Ministry is commencing legally sanctioned actions to re-establish public order," reported the ministry's press service.
Media outlets stated that at least 15 protesters were taken into custody. Three police officers sustained injuries and were subsequently admitted to the hospital.
It came on the eve of a second vote on the draft law 'On Transparency of Foreign Influence', which passed its first reading earlier this month. A further third reading 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'.
Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support those protesting against the law outside the parliament.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 percent 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'.
Clashes outside Georgian parliament during protest against 'foreign agents' law
Police used water cannons and gas grenades to disperse participants of a mass protest against the law on foreign agents adopted in the first reading in Tbilisi.
The footage shows demonstrators with Georgian and EU flags chanting slogans and booing law enforcement officers, and gunshots are heard. The video also shows medics treating victims of tear gas.
The Georgian Interior Ministry claimed protesters had ignored instructions to clear the entrances to the parliament building for members of parliament (MPs) and legislative staff.
"The protest has significantly overstepped the legal boundaries for public assemblies and has turned violent. Consequently, the Interior Ministry is commencing legally sanctioned actions to re-establish public order," reported the ministry's press service.
Media outlets stated that at least 15 protesters were taken into custody. Three police officers sustained injuries and were subsequently admitted to the hospital.
It came on the eve of a second vote on the draft law 'On Transparency of Foreign Influence', which passed its first reading earlier this month. A further third reading 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'.
Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support those protesting against the law outside the parliament.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 percent 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'.
Police used water cannons and gas grenades to disperse participants of a mass protest against the law on foreign agents adopted in the first reading in Tbilisi.
The footage shows demonstrators with Georgian and EU flags chanting slogans and booing law enforcement officers, and gunshots are heard. The video also shows medics treating victims of tear gas.
The Georgian Interior Ministry claimed protesters had ignored instructions to clear the entrances to the parliament building for members of parliament (MPs) and legislative staff.
"The protest has significantly overstepped the legal boundaries for public assemblies and has turned violent. Consequently, the Interior Ministry is commencing legally sanctioned actions to re-establish public order," reported the ministry's press service.
Media outlets stated that at least 15 protesters were taken into custody. Three police officers sustained injuries and were subsequently admitted to the hospital.
It came on the eve of a second vote on the draft law 'On Transparency of Foreign Influence', which passed its first reading earlier this month. A further third reading 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'.
Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili voiced her support those protesting against the law outside the parliament.
Under the legislation, those groups receiving more than 20 percent 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'.