Protests continue in Tbilisi over the adoption of the "foreign agents" law in the second reading. Demonstrators are attempting to storm the parliament building, while police are reportedly denying the use of rubber bullets against people.
This information comes from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the publication News - Georgia.
Demonstrators have approached the parliament gates with barricades and are attempting to storm them.
Due to the situation, the parliament building has declared a "red alert level." Everyone inside the building must evacuate immediately.
It is noted that only individuals whose presence is absolutely necessary may remain in the building, and this list is approved by the head of the parliament's apparatus.
The "red security regime" was introduced from 23:00 on May 1.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Alexander Darakhvelidze, announced at a briefing that the protesters are using tear gas and suffocating gas of unknown origin. Such gas is not sold in any open network stores.
"We will definitely look into this and find out how it ended up at the rally," said Darakhvelidze.
He also reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs employees had a full legal basis but did not use rubber bullets against the protesters.
However, eyewitnesses confirm the use of rubber bullets by law enforcement against people.
President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili called on the participants of the protests to leave the side gates of the parliament in peace.
"I want to address, some things are not necessary, move away from the parliament doors, there is nothing more happening inside now... These doors will not solve anything, except for the release of gas and violence, which we do not need to provoke...," she said.
She reminded about Holy Week and urged not to disturb the peaceful nature of the rally on Shota Rustaveli Avenue. The main goal, Zourabichvili reminded, is elections and the repeal of laws that divert Georgia from the European path.
