Police in the former Soviet state of Georgia used water cannons and teargas in an attempt to disperse thousands of people who took to the streets of Tbilisi to protests against a new 'authoritarian' law. Parliament gave its initial backing to a draft law which would require any organisations receiving more than 20% 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. Thousands of Georgians protested outside parliament, fearing the new law could hinder the country's hopes of EU membership. The rally escalated throughout Tuesday evening, with demonstrators throwing petrol bombs towards riot police while many citizens were treated by emergency services for injuries from tear gas.
Police use water cannon in Georgia to disperse protests at ‘authoritarian’ law