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Added on the 17/04/2024 20:43:54 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Thousands gather in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, for fresh street protests against controversial "foreign influence" legislation being debated in parliament. The bill has sparked outrage in Georgia and concern in the West, with many arguing it mirrors repressive Russian laws and undermines Georgia's bid for European Union membership. IMAGES
Tens of thousands of people rally in Georgia against a controversial "foreign influence" bill after parliament advanced the measure denounced by Brussels as detrimental to Tbilisi's long-standing European aspirations. Waving Georgian and European Union flags, demonstrators gathered outside parliament after lawmakers passed the bill in a second reading. IMAGES
Georgians take to the streets of Tbilisi to protest government plans to introduce a "foreign agent" law reminiscent of Russian legislation used to silence critics. Riot police and protesters clashed the day before after ruling party lawmakers approved the draft law on "foreign agents" in its first reading. IMAGES
Tens of thousands gather in Georgia for a ruling party campaign rally, ahead of elections to be held after the arrest of ex-president and opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili. Georgia's president from 2004-2013, Saakashvili was arrested and imprisoned on October 1 days after he secretly returned from exile in Ukraine, prompting tens of thousands to rally in Tbilisi, demanding his release. He has been on hunger strike for nearly four weeks to protest what he calls a politically motivated prosecution and doctors expressed concerns over the risk of irreversible damage to his health. IMAGES
Supporters of jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvilli and his United National Movement Party rally in Tblisi, Georgia's capital, to demand his release after the ruling party imprisoned him on the eve of highly controversial local elections. Chanting Saakashvili's name and waving national flags, demonstrators fill the capital's Freedom Square as well as the main thoroughfare, Rustaveli Avenue, with an AFP correspondent estimating the crowd at more than 50,000 people. IMAGES
U.S. President Barack Obama attends an outdoor arrival ceremony in heavy rain, as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).