Parliamentary sessions have been temporarily suspended as heightened security measures are implemented at the Georgian Parliament building, lasting until 2:00 p.m. 

This decision comes in the aftermath of the adoption of the controversial foreign transparency bill in its second reading on Wednesday. The move follows the May 1st attack on the Parliament Palace during a protest action, resulting in significant damage to the building and its infrastructure, the body said.

During this period of heightened security (red level), access to the Parliament of Georgia will be restricted to authorized individuals as determined by the head of the parliamentary staff, reflecting the necessity of mitigating potential risks given the current threat dynamics.

According to the Parliament's announcement, the red-level security measures will be downgraded to yellow after 2 p.m, on May 2nd, permitting access solely to Parliament employees. The bill in question requires deliberation and voting across three readings at committee and plenary sessions for final ratification, with May 17th set as the target date for its conclusive third reading.

The consideration and voting on the bill were met with protest from thousands of citizens around the parliament premises. Law enforcement responded with water cannons and tear gas along Chitadze Street, while protestors erected barricades at one of the parliament's entrances.

Demonstrators later moved to Chichinadze Street, attempting to breach the building's gates, prompting further intervention from law enforcement. The protest eventually shifted to Rustaveli Avenue, where police dispersed the crowd after some participants tried to breach the parliament building's gates, utilizing special equipment during the dispersal.

During the demonstrations, one citizen sustained facial injuries reportedly from a rubber bullet.