The moment a water hose hits a protester in Tbilisi, Georgia (Reuters)
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets today (Wednesday), for the second day, in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, in protest of a controversial draft law that received the support of the parliament.
According to opponents, the proposed "foreign agents" law will limit press freedom and civil liberties.
The protesters clashed with the police, who used water hoses and pepper spray to disperse the crowds.
According to the government, 50 police officers were injured and equipment was damaged.
About 66 people were arrested, including a leading opposition politician who was reportedly beaten.
Protesters were seen falling to the ground coughing while others waved Georgian and European Union flags.
In a video circulated on the networks, a protester is seen waving a flag of the Union, while a powerful water hose hits her.
Protests against the law in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
Protests against the law in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
Protests against the law in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
On video: beatings in the Georgian parliament due to a new law (Reuters)
A fistfight broke out between lawmakers in the Georgian parliament yesterday during a heated debate over the "foreign agents" law, which critics say was modeled after draconian legislation in neighboring Russia.
Last month, the ruling bloc announced that it supports the legislation, which still needs to go through additional approval steps before it becomes law.
The law will require organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from outside the country to register as "foreign agents" and agree to monitoring by the Ministry of Justice, or face heavy fines.
Clashes between the protesters and the police in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
Clashes between the protesters and the police in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
Clashes between the protesters and the police in Tbilisi (Photo: Reuters)
Critics compared the proposed law to a 2012 Russian law that has since been expanded and used to suppress independent media and citizens in Russia.
According to them, the new law, if passed, will be a symbol of the authoritarian change that has taken place in Georgia.
"The Russian legislation currently being proposed in parliament is against Georgia's national interests and its European ambitions," said human rights activist and opposition lawmaker Irakli Pavlanishvili.
On the other hand, Gibi Mikanadze, a lawmaker from the ruling bloc, said on state television that "Georgian society needs to know which organizations are funded and from where. This is about transparency and commitment to the Georgian people."
Georgian President Saloma Zouravishvili said she would veto the legislation because it would jeopardize hopes of joining the European Union and NATO.
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