Protests broke out in Tbilisi on the evening of March 7. People came to parliament dissatisfied with the adoption of the draft law on foreign agents.
The media reported clashes: law enforcement officers were pelted with stones and bottles, and tear gas and water cannons were used in response.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is in the United States, canceled all planned meetings and addressed her people.
She stated that she was on the side of the protesters and would veto the bill passed by parliament.
I am addressing you who are standing this evening on Rustaveli Avenue, where I have stood more than once. Today I stand in New York, and behind me is the Statue of Liberty. This is a symbol for which Georgia has always fought, for which we have reached this day – the head of state TASS.
Zurabishvili added that she is still with her people, as they represent “free Georgia.”
According to her, the draft law on foreign agents needs to be repealed, so she, as president, will veto it.
The Georgian leader admitted the possibility that the document was signed “under the dictation of Moscow.”
