Video: Protests Continue in Georgia as Activists Camped Near Parliament Overnight

In Tbilisi, despite the rain, protests against the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill continue. The bill is set to be discussed in the country’s parliament today, with a final reading scheduled for May 14.

Protest participants, including opposition politicians, consider the actions of security forces illegal and are demanding the withdrawal of the so-called “Foreign Agents” law. Protesters are regularly chanting “slaves.” During the protests last night, 20 people were arrested, including three foreigners: one from Russia and two from the United States. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, all were detained under administrative law articles for minor hooliganism and noncompliance with police orders.

As reported by Sputnik Georgia, MIA forces arrived at the scene around 5:00 AM and called on protesters to clear the area adjacent to the parliament entrances. Afterward, they forced out the demonstrators who had been there overnight.

Throughout the night, clashes occurred intermittently between protesters and police. MIA chief Vakhtang Gomelauri urged the protesters to abide by the law and not block the entrances and exits of the parliament, stating that violators would face criminal charges.

Water cannons remained on Freedom Square in Tbilisi overnight but were not used.

Protests against the controversial bill have been taking place in Tbilisi since April 15. On April 30 and May 1, during the second reading discussions, the protests turned unpredictable. During the unrest, protesters threw stones, bottles, and also used firecrackers against police and the parliament building, while police used tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons.

Opposition figures, NGO representatives, and civil activists opposing the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill argue that it equates Georgia's friends and enemies, stigmatizes individuals, and impedes the country's integration into the EU.

The Georgian authorities emphasize that countries like the USA, Israel, and Australia already have laws regarding foreign funding transparency, and similar bills are under discussion in the European Union and France. Meanwhile, the EU and individual EU member countries, the USA, the UN, NATO, and the Council of Europe have called on Georgia to refrain from adopting this bill.

The "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill stipulates the registration of NGOs and media in a register of organizations conducting the interests of foreign forces if more than 20% of their annual income comes from foreign funding. They would be required to submit a declaration once a year.