Thousands of Georgians join night-time protest despite warnings

Several thousand Georgians gathered outside parliament in Tbilisi Sunday night in a fresh protest against a Russian-styled "foreign agent" bill, despite government officials warning of arrests.

Demonstrations have gripped the tiny Caucasus country for weeks over the bill targeting NGOs, dubbed the "Russian law" as it mirrors repressive legislation used by the Kremlin to silence critics.

Protesters gathered from 10:00 pm (1800 GMT), with many vowing to spend the night there, furious over a bill they believe will derail Georgia's long-held aim of joining the EU.

Carrying EU and Georgian flags, protesters poured into the main Rustaveli Avenue, hours before parliament was due to debate the bill in a third reading. The ruling Georgian Dream party is intent on passing the bill this week.

Georgia's pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili warned protesters to beware of "provocations", days after some activists reported harassment.

The authorities warned that they would arrest those who try to block parliament and many expected the protest to be dispersed should people stay all night.

But protesters — who for weeks have been led by the youngest Georgians — appeared determined to stop the bill becoming law.

"We, as students, don't see a future with this Russian law," said 20-year-old Nadezhda Polyakova, who was born and raised in Georgia but is ethnically Russian.

"We stand with Europe," she added..

Students from various Tbilisi universities announced a strike, saying they would not go to lectures from Monday.

 'I am so mad' 

Sunday's protest came a day after tens of thousands poured into Tbilisi's Europe Square.

Georgian Dream, in power for over a decade, has appeared intent...