Georgian police crack down on 'foreign agent' bill protesters with water cannon, tear gas

Law enforcement officers use a water cannon to disperse the crowd near the parliament building during a rally to protest against a bill on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 30, 2024. Law enforcement officers stand guard near the parliament building as demonstrators hold a rally to protest against a bill on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 30, 2024.

Georgian security forces used water cannon and tear gas against protesters outside parliament late on Tuesday, sharply escalating a crackdown after lawmakers debated a "foreign agents" bill, which is viewed by the opposition and Western nations as authoritarian and Russian-inspired.