Six people have been arrested during the recent wave of protests on central Tbilisi after parliament gave its initial backing to a draft law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence" which critics say represents an authoritarian shift in the country.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs says that all the six were held in administrative detention.
The unrest in Georgian capital sparked yesterday when despite the ongoing protests and opposition of a large part of society, as well as the calls of international partners, the Georgian Parliament, at its plenary session on March 7, passed a Russian-style bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in the first reading by 76 votes in favor and 13 against.
In response, thousands of Georgians gathered on central Rustaveli Avenue chanting: "No to Russian law. Russians, Russians."
Dozens of civilians, including journalists were injured after the Georgian police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters.
I didn’t have enough air, I hardly reached an ambulance. Thought I would die... Don't play with human life. Someone is going to die, don't let that happen, says Nino Jangirashvili, Executive Director at Georgian opposition TV Kavkasia who was injured as a result of the firing of tear gas.
So far, the emergency service cannot specify how many people were injured during the rally.
It is over 1 am in Tbilisi and protests do not look like they will be ending anytime soon.
