Amid discussions on a contentious foreign influence law, chaos ensued in the Georgian parliament with lawmakers engaging in a physical altercation.
The heated exchange took place on Monday within the walls of the Georgian Parliament, as tensions flared regarding a law that critics liken to measures seen in Russia.
The law being deliberated mandates media and non-profit entities to declare foreign influence if over 20% of their funding comes from overseas.
Outside the parliament, a multitude of demonstrators has gathered as the legislative body debates the controversial law within the judiciary committee.
During a speech, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the Georgian Dream Party faction, was struck in the face by MP Alexander Elisahsivili.
Elisahsivili accused Mdinaradze of having pro-Russian sympathies.
Opponents of the legislation criticize it as resembling ‘the Russian law,’ which Russia leverages to marginalize independent media outlets and organizations critical of the Kremlin.
Critics argue that enacting this law could impede Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union, a goal for which the country was granted candidate status last year.
This proposed law bears similarities to a prior version that the ruling Georgian Dream party was compelled to retract a year ago following extensive public protests.