Georgian police announced that 14 people were detained during the rally held in Tbilisi against the adoption of the law on foreign agents. This is stated in the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs published on its official website.
Protesters gathered in front of the parliament building to express their opposition to the bill. The Turkish Grand National Assembly Legal Affairs Committee also supported the bill in the first reading.
“The police repeatedly called on the organizers and participants of the rally to comply with the law. Participants ignored these demands, violated public order, resisted and insulted law enforcement officers,” the statement said.
Previously, the participants of the rally tried to bypass the parliament, which caused the reaction of special forces, and pressurized water was sprayed on the scene. Police urged protesters to meet their demands, but some tried to break through the police cordon.
The foreign agents bill introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party sparked widespread protests in March last year. He used the term “organization that pursues the interests of a foreign power” instead of “agent of foreign influence”. Mass protests immediately began in Tbilisi demanding the repeal of the bill. The opposition sees this as an analogue of Russian laws.
The Georgian Parliament adopted the bill on foreign agents in the first reading on March 7, 2023. Then the protests began, which were dispersed by the police. The bill was later withdrawn from parliament by the decision of the authorities.
Formerly President of Georgia expressed Support for protesters in Tbilisi.
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Source: Gazeta
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