A law that forbids the protesters to cover their faces and does not allow the throwing of fireworks and the use of lasers during the demonstrations, the parliament of Georgia after clashes between police and pro-EU citizens.
The law on protesters passed in Georgia imposes a fine of 2,000 GEL ($720) on violators and was unanimously approved, the Interpress news agency reported.
MPs also approved increases in fines for destroying buildings and blocking traffic. The convictions for the organization roadblocks provide for fines of up to 15,000 GEL ($5,400).
More than 400 people have been arrested since protests began in late November in the wake of government announcements that it was suspending the South Caucasus country’s EU accession talks.
The decision angered many in Georgia, where the idea of joining the EU is popular. Over 100 serving diplomats signed an open letter to protest and ambassadors resigned from their posts.
Many protesters wear gas masks and cover their faces to avoid identification and police in the capital Tbilisi have used pressurized water and tear gas against them.
Some throw fireworks at the police. Others have used lasers in an attempt to “blind” police and security cameras outside the parliament building in Tbilisi.
Dozens of people, including police officers, have been injured. Around 30 people have been charged with criminal charges and two leading members of the pro-European opposition have already be sent to prison.
The EU’s ambassador to Georgia said this week that police behavior towards protesters was unacceptable and could lead to sanctions from Brussels.
Prime Minister Irakli Kombahicze has defended the police’s behavior and the country’s interior ministry has said more than 150 members of law enforcement have been injured.
The Parliament of Georgia is expected tomorrow (14.12.2024) to elect a president in order to replace Salome Zourabisvili, a pro-European critic of the ruling party.
The only candidate for the post is Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former ruling party MP with anti-Western views.