Special forces in Tbilisi use water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators protesting new law on ‘foreign agents’

In Tbilisi, Georgia, special forces used water cannons and teargas against protestors who tried to enter Georgia’s parliament building, on Rustaveli Avenue.

On March 8, for the second night in a row, opponents of a new piece of legislation on “foreign agents,” currently under review by members of parliament, gathered to protest in the city center.

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of a liberal political party in Georgia, demanded that the bill be withdrawn within an hour, and all of the protestors arrested the previous day be released. When the demands weren’t met, he called on protestors to surround the parliament building so that deputies would be unable to enter on Thursday.

After police used force against the protestors, protestors began breaking windows and fences surrounding the parliament building.

Special forces then dispersed the rally and forced protestors to a square near the parliament building.