Police clashes with protesters against the “Foreign Agents” law in Tbilisi

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency quoting “Tass” news agency, late on Tuesday, opponents of the “transparency of foreign influence” law demonstrated again and blocked Rustaveli street in the center of the capital, which leads to the parliament of this country.

In this regard, the parliament building was surrounded by police for protection. After a while, the special security forces started using rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse the protesters. They even threw tear gas at the crowd. In response to the police attack, the protesters started throwing stones and bottles at them. Thus, the conflict between the protesters and the police and special security forces in the vicinity of the Georgian Parliament building intensified. In the past, three police officers were injured and hospitalized.

However, the ministry’s statement did not mention the number of injured people from peaceful demonstrators and journalists. , but local media reported that dozens of people needed medical attention.

At the same time, a television channel reported the arrest of at least 15 protesters. Among them, Luvan Khabishvili, the head of the Georgian opposition party “National Unity Movement” was arrested during a protest rally in Tbilisi. The National Unity Movement asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to guarantee Khabishvili’s physical safety and release him immediately. A photo of him injured during a clash with the police has been published.

Georgian president asked not to use force against protesters

Furthermore, in the midst of these events, the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs of this country to take action against the protesters who are now demonstrating in Tbilisi against the Foreign Agents Bill. Do not use force.

The message of Zorabishvili’s request states: “I ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to immediately stop dispersing the peaceful demonstrations of the people and using disproportionate force, violence against young people who They have gathered in the street with empty hands, refrain. I ask the public prosecutors to immediately respond to this issue in order to prevent any violent and illegal actions of the special forces against the people.

He assured that the rally would be peaceful and would not pose any threat to law and order if the police force refrained from violent action.

On Monday, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament approved the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” bill in the second reading. During the discussion, which lasted for 10 hours, heated debates took place between representatives of the ruling party “Dream of Georgia – Democratic Georgia” and the opposition, and 14 opposition representatives were expelled from the hall for violating the rules.

This bill was approved in the first reading in mid-April.

The date of presenting this bill for voting in the general session of the Parliament of Georgia has not yet been announced.