Elina Valtonen, the Finnish foreign minister, said “worrying scenes in Georgia. Violence against peaceful protestors is not acceptable.”
She added:“Georgia was granted EU candidate status and we expect Georgia to stay on that path, which is the people’s choice. People have the right to demonstrate against the law on foreign influence.”
Worrying scenes in Georgia. Violence against peaceful protestors is not acceptable. Georgia was granted EU candidate status and we expect Georgia to stay on that path, which is the people’s choice. People have the right to demonstrate against the law on foreign influence.
— Elina Valtonen (@elinavaltonen) May 2, 2024
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Worrying scenes in Georgia. Violence against peaceful protestors is not acceptable. Georgia was granted EU candidate status and we expect Georgia to stay on that path, which is the people’s choice. People have the right to demonstrate against the law on foreign influence.
— Elina Valtonen (@elinavaltonen) May 2, 2024
Georgia’s parliament yesterday approved the second reading of the controversial “foreign agents” bill, which has fuelled a political crisis and massive protests.
Reuters reported that police fired tear gas and stun grenades to clear a large crowd of protesters opposed to the draft law.
11 people, including six police officers, had received hospital treatment after Wednesday’s altercations, according to Georgia’s health ministry.
‘Their voices must be heard’: UK calls for right to protest to be respected
The British embassy in Georgia said today that “we continue to watch unfolding events very closely.”
“The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected,” it added.
We continue to watch unfolding events very closely.
The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected@MarkClaytonFCDO
— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) May 2, 2024
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We continue to watch unfolding events very closely.
The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected@MarkClaytonFCDO
— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) May 2, 2024
Georgia cancels parliament session amid massive protests
Georgia’s parliament cancelled its planned plenary session for today following large protests against a “foreign agents” bill that has raised concerns that country is moving away from democratic norms and closer to Moscow.
The parliament’s announcement said the cancellation was connected to damage the building suffered during Wednesday protests, the Associated Press reported.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog, where today we will focus on the latest in Georgia.
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.