Georgia gripped by protests as controversial Foreign Agent law looms

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has urged protesters against the foreign agent law to "clear the entrances to the parliament." Many Georgians have spent the night on the streets of Tbilisi following one of the largest demonstrations in the country's history. Special police units have been deployed to the site.

On Monday morning, media reported that many Georgians blocked the entrances to the parliament. The legal committee meeting to discuss the project of the law on transparency of foreign influence, also known as the foreign agent law or the Russian law, is scheduled for today at 9:00 AM ET.

The law proposes additional measures for controlling non-governmental organizations and media. Critics argue that, similar to Russia, it could be used to dismantle the opposition and independent media.

Protesters have erected barricades, and police special units have been deployed to the site.

"Hundreds of police officers are assembled behind the Georgian parliament, and at the beginning of Rustaveli Avenue, officers with water cannons are positioned. Protesters against the foreign agent's law remain at the parliament, and the night protest started on Sunday late in the evening," - reports OC Media.

According to a statement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has called on the organizers and participants of Monday morning's action to "clear the entrances to the legislative body, ensuring deputies and employees can enter the parliament building and carry out their parliamentary duties."

Protesters were warned that if they did not comply, "entrances would be cleared by the police."

"Media workers on-site are required not to obstruct the police in performing their duties," was added.

The portal Newsgeorgia.ge has already reported warnings about the potential use of special equipment on site. "Special forces and equipment are at the highest state of readiness. Media have been reporting telecommunication problems since the hour," it says.

The portal also notes that the protest began the day before at 10:00 PM ET and has been peaceful. Protesters - mainly students - sang songs, danced, and wrote notes.

"We ask everyone to stand behind the parliament and take up important positions. Now everything begins. Long live Georgia, and we are waiting for you behind the parliament," one of the rally organizers, Baia Pataraia, told the participants.

On May 12, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze held a press conference stating that the authorities have "credible information" about planned riots, allegedly organized by "youth groups and radical opposition funded from abroad."

Meanwhile, President Salome Zurabishvili warned that the government might resort to provocations and appealed to the protesters to remain cautious. She demanded that the authorities "not dare to resort to repression and violence."

As Newsgeorgia.ge reported, the third reading of the law is scheduled for Monday (May 13) at the legal committee meeting and Tuesday (May 14) at the parliament forum.

Once the third reading is completed, the document will be forwarded to President Salome Zurabishvili for her signature. She has already announced a veto, citing the law's contradiction to Georgia's pro-European path. Nevertheless, the ruling party has the parliamentary majority required to override the presidential veto.

Throughout recent protests, police have used special means several times - water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas. There were also unconfirmed reports about the use of rubber bullets.

In recent days, incidents of attacks by "unknown perpetrators" on protest participants and opposition representatives have been reported. According to the media, these could be thugs hired by the authorities, similar to how hired toughs were used during protests in Ukraine, where they were called "titushky".