Violent Clashes In Tbilisi Over Russian Lawmaker In Parliament
- By RFE/RL's Georgian Service,
- Reuters and
- AP
Violence broke out overnight in central Tbilisi when protesters stormed the parliament after a Communist party lawmaker from Russia sat in the speaker's seat during an international Orthodox assembly. Dozens were injured in the clashes and protesters have vowed to return.
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A wounded man in front of Georgia's parliament. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons were deployed by police overnight on June 20.
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Thousands of protesters massed outside Georgia's parliament in central Tbilisi after Russian lawmaker Sergei Gavrilov took the speaker's seat inside the parliament. Gavrilov is viewed as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Violence erupted after protesters attempted to storm the parliament.
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Riot police fire a projectile near the parliament.
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A man led away after tear gas was deployed by Georgian police.
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People flee clouds of tear gas.
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Violent clashes on the steps of the Georgian parliament building in central Tbilisi in the early hours of June 21.
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A man flees as police fire tear gas.
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A protester injured during the clashes.
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Riot police backed by a water cannon. Georgian authorities reported around 70 people injured overnight, including 39 police officers.
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A man bleeding heavily in the early hours of June 21. Battles between police and security personnel continued through the night.
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A protester pushes into police lines. In a video shared by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, a protester appears to be hit by a projectile as he remonstrates with police lines in front of the parliament.
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Protesters with police shields.
![An overturned car as day breaks in Tbilisi on June 21. Opposition politician Grigol Vashadze vowed “We will meet again on Rustaveli Avenue at 19:00 [on June 21]. We will need to agree on an action plan with people."](https://gdb.rferl.org/a5dac0fd-be7f-4e35-b3ca-4b35bab426fe_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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An overturned car as day breaks in Tbilisi on June 21. Opposition politician Grigol Vashadze vowed “We will meet again on Rustaveli Avenue at 19:00 [on June 21]. We will need to agree on an action plan with people."
