The United States is closely following developments in Georgia in recent hours, the US State Department said on Tuesday, after Georgian police used tear gas to disperse protesters in central Tbilisi after parliament gave its initial backing to a draft law on "foreign agents."
State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that the United States will continue to monitor the situation in Georgia and said that peaceful protesters should be allowed to exercise that right peacefully.
The above-mentioned statement was made in response to to the unrest in Georgian capital that sparked on March 7 when despite the ongoing protests and opposition of a large part of society, as well as the calls of international partners, the Georgian Parliament, at its plenary session, passed a Russian-style bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” in the first reading by 76 votes in favor and 13 against.
Dozens of civilians, including journalists were injured after the Georgian police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters on Tuesday in central Tbilisi after parliament gave its initial backing to a draft law on "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" which critics say represents an authoritarian shift in the country.
On its side, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said, that as a result of the violent actions of the rally participants, several law enforcement officers were injured, police gear and equipment were damaged as well - police applied proportional force and special means within the frames of the law.
