Tbilisi: Police douse protesters outside Georgia's parliament with tear gas

Footage captured thousands protesting outside Georgia's parliament in the capital of Tbilisi

Georgian authorities have used tear gas and water cannons outside the country's parliament against protesters who oppose a proposed law some see as stifling freedom of the press.

Injuries were reported on Tuesday evening amid ongoing protests in the capital Tbilisi.

The law, which has received initial approval, would require media outlets and non-governmental organisations that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as “agents of foreign influence.”

International organisations have said the draft law runs against Georgia’s democratic development.

While Georgia’s president, Salome Zurabishvili, has said she would veto the bill, its authors say it’s needed for the transparency of the work of entities financed by representatives of foreign states.

Georgia's parliament can override presidential vetoes.

In a video she shot with New York's Statue of Liberty visible in the background, Zurabishvili supported the protesters.

“I am standing in New York, and behind me is the Statue of Liberty. This is is a symbol for which Georgia has always fought, for which we have come to this day. I am with you, because today you represent free Georgia. Georgia, which sees its future in Europe and will not give anyone the right to take this future. This law must be abolished in any form."

In Russia, a foreign agent law is often used to shut down organisations and news outlets that report voices critical of the government.

Georgian civil activists and opposition representatives have blocked both entrances to the parliament building, chanting: “No to Russian law!” “Russians!” “Slaves!”

The EU has warned Georgia that by adopting this law it would harm its prospects of ever joining the bloc.

Khatia Dekanoidze, a member of the opposition National Movement Rally, told parliament: “Everyone should understand that saving our country, saving our young generation, saving our future lies only through the European path.”

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