Georgian Parliament approves ‘foreign agent law’, defying protests

Georgia’s Parliament approved a controversial “foreign agent law” Tuesday, defying mass street protests by Georgians who fear the bill will strip civil rights and push their country further into Moscow’s orbit. The measure could also undermine Georgia’s bid to join the European Union.

The vote was 84 to 30.

Ahead of the vote, a brawl broke out in Parliament among a dozen or so MPs from the governing Georgian Dream party and opposition politicians, who have repeatedly tried to shut down the passing of the deeply contentious measure.