site.btaForeign Ministry Advises Bulgarians in Georgia to Avoid Large Gatherings, Protests

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry advises Bulgarian citizens visiting Georgia to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, to inform themselves through local media about the situation in that country and to follow the local authorities' instructions, the Ministry said here on Friday.

Bulgarians are further advised to avoid areas with increased police presence, which is an indicator of large gatherings, and to be vigilant in case they find themselves close to demonstrations.

There were clashes between Georgian security forces clashed and protesters in that country's capital on Wednesday night after the Georgian Parliament pushed through a controversial new legislation that has sparked protests. The ruling Georgian Dream party pushed through Parliament a bill last month, which the pro-Western opposition believes could be used to crush dissent and hamper the country’s efforts to join the European Union.