Title: Police in Tbilisi Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Against Peaceful Protesters in Georgia

In Tbilisi, the police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets against people protesting against the law on “foreign agents”. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili appealed to Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri to stop the peaceful demonstration.

Source: Zurabishvili published a statement on her page in Facebook

Details: The head of state also called on the public defender Levan Yoseliani to respond immediately to the events taking place in Tbilisi.

Direct speech Zurabishvili: “I appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs to immediately stop the spread of a peaceful demonstration, the use of disproportionate force, violence against young people. It is clear that the action was peaceful, that it was not a no threat without threat of order.”

More details: On April 30, the Parliament of Georgia began considering the bill on “foreign representatives” in the second reading. A protest against the adoption of the law takes place in front of the parliament building, when protesters were against the police.

Police used tear gas near the Georgian parliament building. In addition, some activists claim that law enforcement officers also used rubber bullets. There are victims where emergency workers provide first aid on the spot.

Law enforcement officials also used water cannon to disperse the protesters.
Previously, a warning was given about the use of special equipment.
The participants of the rally on Chitadze Street tried to remove the barriers installed there and block the road with them.

At the same time, law enforcement officials began detaining protesters in front of parliament.
Before this, security forces used pepper spray, as a result of which several citizens were injured. Ambulance crews are at the scene. Doctors give them first aid.
At 3am, protesters are still on the streets.

Background Information:

• April 29, near the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi in the evening rally was held the ruling Georgian Dream party supports the bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, criticized by the West and civil society.
• Earlier on Monday, the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, after a 10-hour meeting, supported the bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in the second reading.
• On Monday in the EU again to warn Georgiathat the adoption of the law on “foreign agents” will affect the process of its integration into the European Union.
• Georgian diplomats previously issued a statement saying that the decisions of the ruling Georgian Dream party had turned the course of Georgia’s foreign policy 180 degrees. removing Georgians from the EU.