▲Police attempt to disperse protesters using water cannons. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
On Tuesday morning, the Georgian Parliament announced it would hold the first hearing of the foreign agent draft law on Thursday, but announced shortly after that morning’s protesters had dispersed that the hearing of the law would take place the same day instead.
Protesters gathered outside Georgia’s parliament during a meeting of the parliamentary bureau to discuss the first hearing of the foreign agent laws. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
The foreign agent law was widely condemned domestically and internationally as a Russian-style law that threatens Georgia’s democracy and Euro-Atlantic prospects.
Crowds flocked to parliament almost immediately after the announcement, moving to Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, around 17:00.
Protesters carrying signs protesting the foreign agent law. The sign on the right reads ‘Your dad’s an agent’, while the sign in the centre says ‘No to the Russian law’. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media
Tens of thousands could be heard chanting ‘Putin khuylo’ (Putin is a dick) and ‘monebo’ (slaves) in front of parliament as the first version of the foreign agent law passed its first plenary hearing. Riot police started to appear as the voting began.
Protesters approach riot police blocking the roads near parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaProtesters clash with riot police. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaProtesters approach riot police near parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
While shouts and boos greeted the announcement, protesters remained in the streets well into the night, despite attempts by police to disperse them with pepper spray and water cannons.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside Georgia’s Parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaPolice attempt to disperse protesters using water cannons. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
Shortly before midnight, as protesters continued to show no signs of leaving, riot police began to fire tear gas at those gathered by parliament.
Crowds dispersed briefly, but returned as soon as the chemical weapon had settled.
Protesters running from tear gas launched near parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaAmbulance staff provide protesters affected by tear gas with masks and first aid. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
Rather than leaving the area, protesters instead got closer to parliament, taking down barricades in front of the building’s main entrance and raising chants through a loudspeaker system.
Protesters dismantling a barricade protecting the main entrance to parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaProtesters dismantling a barricade protecting the main entrance to parliament. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC MediaA protester smokes a cigarette n front of the dismantled barricade. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
Some of those standing on the building’s facade threw rocks at parliament, while a couple of protesters are reported to have launched petrol bombs at riot police.
At around 01:00 in the morning, large numbers of riot police closed in on the gathered protesters as the crowds were heavily teargassed.
Riot police approach from Liberty Square amidst clouds of tear gas. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
Demonstrators dispersed, with many seeking shelter behind and within Kashveti Church, but returned to Rustaveli Avenue shortly afterwards, in a back-and-forth that continued into the early hours of the morning. At around 4:00 am, police began to detain some of those remaining.
A riot police officer near parliament in the early hours of the morning. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media
A veteran journalist with over a decade of experience, Mariam is passionate about gender equality and workers’ rights. Though often managing from behind a desk, her instinct to report from the ground kicks in whenever news breaks.
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‘We bought new equipment […] We bought water cannons, machines bought by the previous government in 200
