(1 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tbilisi – 1 May 2024
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of protesters in street, fire
2. Various of tear gas being sprayed, wide smoke clouds rising
3. Protesters pouring water over eyes
4. Wide of protest
5. Various of protester being treated at ambulance
6. Protesters in front of Parliament walking and on bikes
STORYLINE:
Protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi on Wednesday evening as Georgia’s Parliament moved a step closer to passing a law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s European Union membership bid.
Georgian police were seen using water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray against the tens of thousands of protesters who thronged surrounding streets.
Dozens of people were arrested the night before, and mass rallies continue daily in the capital, Tbilisi.
Protesters denounce the bill as “the Russian law” because neighbouring Russia uses similar legislation to stigmatise independent news media and organisations critical of the Kremlin.
The law would require media and noncommercial organisations to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power,” if they receive more than 20% of funding from abroad.
The ruling Georgian Dream party withdrew a similar proposal last year after large crowds protested.
Eighty-three of Georgia’s 150 lawmakers approved the bill in its second reading, while 23 voted against it.
A third and final vote in Parliament is needed before it can be signed into law.
Georgian lawmaker Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters on Wednesday that he expected that final vote to happen in mid-May.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/49fd3f0ea29643b48d345fc64bb8cae3
