Georgians rally against draft law on “foreign agents” in Tbilisi

On March 7 night, more than a thousand people gathered outside the Georgian parliament in the centre of Tbilisi as MPs consider the draft law on foreign agents, which is said to represent an authoritarian shift, according to Reuters.

Police used water cannons and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators, who fear the draft law could hurt the South Caucasus country's hopes of European Union membership.

The law, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, would require any organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from overseas to register as "foreign agents", or face substantial fines.

Critics have said it is reminiscent of a 2012 law in Russia that has since been used to crack down on dissent.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who wants to veto the law it if crosses her desk, said she was on the protesters’ side.

"You represent a free Georgia, a Georgia which sees its future in the West, and won't let anyone take this future away," she said in an address recorded in the United States, where she is on an official visit.

"Nobody needs this law ... everyone who has voted for this law has violated the constitution," she said. Parliament, though, can override her veto.

Protesters angrily remonstrated with police armed with riot shields who then used tear gas and water cannon. At least three petrol bombs, as well as stones, were thrown at police.

People suffering from the effects of tear gas were being treated on the steps outside the parliament building.

"I came here because I know that my country belongs to Europe, but my government doesn't understand it", said 30-year-old protestor Demetre Shanshiashvili.

"We are here to protect our country because we don't want to be part of Russia again", he added, referring to the almost two centuries Georgia spent as part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.