Violence and tear gas, the second night of the pro-EU and anti-Russia protest continues in Georgia

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on a second night of unrest.

Crowds are outraged after the country’s parliament backed a controversial “Russian-style” law that would classify non-governmental and media groups as “foreign agents” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. .

On Wednesday evening, police pushed back protesters who tore down a metal barrier outside parliament. Crowds were ordered to disperse and several people were reported injured.

Footage shared by local media shows hundreds of police officers on the streets of the city late Wednesday evening, wearing helmets and shields. At least one police car was overturned.

Clouds of tear gas rose over the streets around the parliament building as police tried to disperse the protesters.

Tens of thousands of people joined the second day of protests in the country. A similar law in Russia has been used to severely limit press freedom and suppress civil society.

“We think our government is under Russian influence and that’s very bad for our future,” said Lizzie, one of the many students taking part in the protest.

Protesters are also concerned that, if the law is passed, it will damage the country’s hopes of joining the EU.