A Georgian Member of Parliament (MP) and leading ruler of the Georgian Dream party, supporting the “foreign agent” Bill, was punched by Opposition leader, Aleko Elisashvili while speaking.
This comes as the Georgian politicians began fist-fighting during a parliamentary debate about the controversial bill.
After the first punch was thrown, several other legislators began throwing punches.
Elisashvili was later cheered by citizens outside of the parliament building for his actions.
Speaking to news outside of the building, Elisashvili said: “I got beaten, but if it’s for Georgia, then so be it. We must shove this law…
“There is no time for politeness, they are dragging us directly into Russia. We are either Georgians or slaves. And we are not slaves”.
Five opposition MPs have now been expelled from the Judiciary Committee hearing on the Bill after the brawl: Giorgi Vashadze, Paata Manjgaladze, Ana Natsvlishvili, Levan Khabeishvili and Khatia Dekanoidze.
The controversial Bill was introduced by the Georgian Dream party, and would require organisations that accept funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents” or face fines.
But the Bill has drawn fierce backlash and caused strain for Georgian citizens who aim to join the EU.
European countries and the EU have opposed the bill – but the country has already deepened their ties with Russia.
*Culled from Vanguard
