Georgia faces upheaval as citizens protest controversial foreign agent law
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has urged protesters against the foreign agent law to "clear the entrances to the parliament." Many Georgians spent the night on the streets of Tbilisi following one of the largest demonstrations in the country's history, with special police units being deployed to the scene.
On Monday morning, it was reported that many Georgians blocked the entrances to the parliament. The legal committee's meeting to discuss the bill on transparency of foreign influence, also known as the foreign agent law or the Russian law, is scheduled for today at 9:00 AM GMT.
The bill proposes additional powers for monitoring non-governmental organizations and the media. Critics argue that it could be used, as in Russia, to undermine the opposition and independent media.
Protesters have erected barricades, and police special units have been dispatched to the area.
"Hundreds of police officers are stationed behind the Georgian parliament, and at the beginning of Rustaveli Avenue, officers with water cannons are in place. Protesters against the foreign agents law remain at the parliament, and the overnight protest started on Sunday late in the evening" according to OC Media.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs calls for "clearing the entrances"
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has appealed to the organizers and participants of Monday morning's protest to "clear the entrances to the legislative body, allowing deputies and staff to enter the parliament building and carry out their duties," according to their statement.
Protesters were warned that if they do not follow the instructions, "entrances will be cleared by the police".
"Special forces and equipment in the highest state of readiness"
"Media workers present on-site are reminded not to obstruct the police in the performance of their duties," it was added.
According to Newsgeorgia.ge, there have already been mentions of the possibility of deploying special equipment. "Special forces and equipment are at maximum readiness. Issues with communication have been reported since the hour began," they said.
The same site recalls that the protest started the previous day at 10:00 PM GMT and has been peaceful. Protesters, primarily students, have been singing, dancing, and writing notes.
"Now everything begins"
"We ask everyone to gather behind the parliament and take up crucial positions. Everything starts now. Long live Georgia, we await you behind the parliament," one of the organizers, Baia Pataraia, told the crowd.
On May 12, Georgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, held a press conference, revealing the government had "credible information" about potential riots, allegedly organized by "youth groups and radical opposition funded from abroad".
Meanwhile, President Salome Zurabishvili has accused the government of planning provocations. She urged protesters to remain vigilant and demanded that the authorities "dare not resort to repression and violence".
President announces veto
As reported by Newsgeorgia.ge, the third reading of the bill is scheduled for Monday (May 13) at the legal committee meeting and subsequently on Tuesday (May 14) in the parliament forum.
Following the third reading, the document will be sent to President Salome Zurabishvili for her signature. She has already promised to veto it, arguing that the law conflicts with Georgia's pro-European direction. Nevertheless, the ruling party possesses enough parliamentary seats to override the presidential veto.
"Titushky" provoke participants
During previous protests, the police have used special means on several occasions - water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas. There have also been unconfirmed reports of rubber bullets. Recent days have seen several attacks by "unknown assailants" on protesters and opposition figures. Media suggest these could be thugs hired by the authorities, akin to those used in Ukraine, where hired toughs were labelled "titushky".
