Georgia: Police clash with 'foreign agent' bill protesters

Georgian riot police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered outside parliament to protest against legislation that critics say could derail the country's ambition of joining the EU.

Lawmakers gathered at parliament Tuesday evening to debate and vote on the bill. This would be the second of three votes required to pass the "foreign agents" bill. The bill passed its first reading earlier in April.

The bill would require organizations receiving more than 20% their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence. It has been compared by critics to a law that Russia has used extensively to crack down on dissent.

Riot police used pepper spray and batons to disperse protesters on Tuesday, according to reports. Lawmakers ended Tuesday's session without a vote and the debate is set to resume on Wednesday.

Georgia detained 63 people in Tbilisi and six police officers were injured during protests, Georgia's Interior Ministry said, citing Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze.

Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of Georgia's largest opposition party, posted a picture to X with a black eye. He didn't write how that happened. 

Mass protests throughout the month

The protests began earlier this month and over the weekend. On Sunday, large crowds thronged Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Tbilisi, saying: “No to the Russian law!”

The bill must not only pass three readings in parliament but also requires the president's signature to become the law.

Georgia's president is widely expected to veto the measure, but the ruling party, Georgian Dream, has enough seats with allies in parliament to override the president's veto.

rm/mf (Reuters, AFP)