Bill has raised concern country is moving away from democratic norms and closer to Moscow

Georgia's parliament on Wednesday approved the second reading of the bill, which the opposition says is Kremlin-inspired, as police fired tear gas and stun grenades to clear a large crowd of protesters.

Parliament is expected to hold a second vote on the bill on Wednesday and scuffles broke out in the chamber as the debate resumed. Several protesters were injured during the clashes on Rustaveli Avenue,

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party is a step closer to pushing through a law that could undermine the country's ambition to join the EU. It comes despite weeks of demonstrations and warnings from Brussels.

Police in Georgia used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters as thousands rallied outside parliament in Tbilisi to oppose a bill.