/Update/
UNITED NATIONS, March 9. /TASS/. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is keeping an eye on the situation in Georgia, where protests against the bill on foreign agents are underway, and urges all the parties to avoid actions leading to escalation of tensions, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq told TASS.
"The Secretary-General is following the situation in Georgia. He urges all relevant actors to avoid any actions that may escalate tensions. The Secretary-General underlines the importance of the freedom of expression and the unimpeded work of the media and civil society and recalls the right of people to a peaceful protest," Haq said.
The riot police scattered protesters against the bill on foreign agents in Rustaveli Avenue in the capital of Georgia, according to a live stream of local TV channels.
On Tuesday, the Georgian parliament adopted in the first reading the Georgian version of the bill on foreign agents. In parallel with the parliament’s meeting, thousands of protesters against the bill gathered outside. Tensions soared when the legislators voted for this bill. Riot police used tear gas and water cannon. At night the security forces forced the protesters out of the territory adjoining the parliament building. Protests resumed on Wednesday.