Georgian Parliament cancels session citing damage caused by rally against bill on transparency on foreign influence

The Georgian Parliament on Thursday cancelled its scheduled bureau and plenary sessions, citing damage caused to the building by participants of a rally against the bill on transparency of foreign influence in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

The legislative body said the “building and infrastructure” had been damaged “as a result of the violent actions” of the protesters on Wednesday.

Therefore, today the planned events will not be held in the Parliament [...] Cleaning and restoration works are currently underway”, the statement noted.

Security measures at the lawmaking institution have also been heightened, with the red security level in effect until early afternoon and transitioning to the yellow level after.

Under the red security level, no individual except for those cleared by the Head of the Staff will be allowed into the Parliament.

The Interior Ministry on Wednesday said participants of the rally had attempted to damage the iron gates of the legislative body following the withdrawal of law enforcement units from the territory surrounding the building.