Georgian police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and batons overnight to disperse demonstrators protesting the parliament's decision to advance a contentious foreign influence bill.

The bill, which has triggered weeks of mass protests and drawn warnings from the West about its impact on Georgia's aspirations to join Euro-Atlantic institutions, saw tens of thousands gathering outside the parliament building in Tbilisi.

Lawmakers voted 83 to 23 to push the bill forward in a second reading after a tumultuous debate marked by the expulsion of opposition deputies and scuffles. The ruling party aims to enact the bill into law by mid-May.

Police clashed with protesters who refused to disperse, resulting in at least 11 individuals, including six police officers, receiving hospital treatment for injuries, according to Georgia's Health Ministry as quoted by the media.

According to the Emergency Situations Coordination and Emergency Assistance Center, on May 1, eight persons injured during the protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue were hospitalized.

The injured have various types of injuries, including: wounds on the face, head and different parts of the body, as well as intoxication and respiratory tract complications.

"On May 1, 8 injured civilians were hospitalized during the protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue. One of them was discharged from the clinic. The injured have various types of injuries, including: wounds on the face, head and different parts of the body, as well as intoxication and respiratory complications. At this stage, the health condition of the patients hospitalized in the medical institution is satisfactory. They are given appropriate treatment and are under observation”, said the Emergency Situations Coordination and Emergency Assistance Center.