A protest in Tbilisi near the parliament centers on the law governing foreign agents. Police deployed water cannon against demonstrators, and special forces used tear gas to disperse crowds. The action unfolded at four points around the building from early morning, and traffic on Rustaveli Boulevard was halted.
Russian outlets report that protesters also threw Molotov cocktails at officers. Police answered with tear gas and rubber bullets, with further reports of protesters throwing stones and bottles. The events around the parliament drew heavy security and clashes near the fencing and barricades set up by authorities.
Reports from TASS and other agencies indicate that attempts were made to breach the parliament perimeter. Security personnel waited in the courtyard, and water jets were used against those who entered the assembly zone. A plume of smoke was observed from a third-floor window, and rooftop tear gas grenades targeted protesters, according to multiple witnesses and outlets.
On Tuesday night, lawmakers approved the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill in the first round by a majority, despite ongoing demonstrations since the previous week.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili remained in New York, coordinating calls to the public and voicing support for the demonstrators against the Foreign Agents Act. He pledged to veto the measure, arguing that the law violates the constitution, as stated by his administration.
Georgian authorities reported numerous injuries among police officers and damage to equipment amid clashes near the parliament. The Interior Ministry said the protests had exceeded the right to peaceful assembly and that demonstrators used force within legal bounds while disobeying officers’ commands.
The U.S. Embassy called the day a dark moment for Georgian democracy, describing the law as harmful to European integration and suggesting sanctions could be possible against Georgian officials. Georgian opposition figures criticized the move, while a ruling party leader framed the day as a setback for radical opponents.
Bill and rallies
The bill titled “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” would create a register for NGOs, media outlets, and organizations receiving foreign government funding. Opponents argue the measure could hinder Georgia’s path to EU membership, labeling it a minimal variant of foreign agents laws seen elsewhere. Proponents claimed the framework aligns with laws in the United States and other democracies.
On February 14, representatives from the opposition People’s Power submitted the proposal for parliament consideration. The movement traces back to August 2022, when several lawmakers left the ruling party amid fears about Georgia drifting into conflict. The group says its aim is to safeguard Western institutions in Georgia, not to attack them.
In response, the Georgian Dream party signaled determination to move the bill forward even if the president vetoed it.
During a March 6 debate, a dispute between parliamentary allies and opposition members erupted, followed by a rally around the building. An opposition MP described police actions that left journalists barred from access and claimed the building was surrounded, implying the law was already in effect.
Earlier, on March 3, police detained 36 protesters on charges of petty hooliganism and disobedience. The broader debate concerned Georgia’s trajectory toward European Union standards and responses from Brussels regarding Saakashvili and other political figures.
On February 15, European Parliament members urged all parties to align with recommendations on Saakashvili’s treatment abroad, warning that divergence could affect Georgia’s EU candidate status. Language about sanctions and political leverage surfaced as debates continued around the country’s reform agenda.
Saakashvili has been imprisoned since 2021 for a prior incident, with opposition calls for release. Reports noted health concerns during detention. The European Parliament has pressed for sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, a prominent Georgian financier, amid concerns about Saakashvili’s imprisonment in Europe.
In response, local leaders argued that EU membership would hinge on Georgia following its own legal framework and national interests, suggesting external pressure could jeopardize the country’s ambitions and political stability.
Officials warned against foreign meddling while defending Georgia’s right to determine its own path. The broader narrative centered on clashes between pro-government factions and opposition voices over governance, security, and the country’s European prospects.