Masked riot police intervened without warning, using tear gas and rubber bullets, beating and arresting dozens of people, an AFP journalist noted.
Earlier in the evening, protesters gathered in front of Parliament to demonstrate against the bill on “foreign influence”, considered repressive.
Brussels said the text jeopardized the aspiration of Georgia, a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, to become a member of the European Union.
Since April 9, the ruling party, the Georgian Dream, has been trying to pass this text, after an aborted attempt in spring 2023 in the face of massive protest actions.
According to its critics, the project is inspired by the Russian law on “foreign agents” used to stifle dissenting voices.
Georgian MPs debated the bill in second reading on Tuesday. The ruling party hopes to have it voted on by mid-May.
“They are afraid because they see our determination,” 21-year-old demonstrator Natia Gabissonia told AFP on Tuesday evening in front of Parliament.
“We will not let them pass this Russian law and bury our European future,” she added.
Protests also took place in Georgia’s second city, Batumi, and Kutaisi, according to independent media Formula TV.
The day before, several thousand people had participated in a counter-demonstration organized in front of Parliament by the Georgian Dream.
European Council President Charles Michel said the bill was not compatible with Georgia’s desire to become a member of the European Union.
In December, the EU granted this country the status of official candidate for membership of the Union, while warning it that it must notably reform its judicial system and its electoral system, strengthen freedom of the press and limit the power of the oligarchs, before negotiations for its integration can officially begin.
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