Georgia’s parliament today voted in favor of a law banning protesters from covering their faces and banning fireworks and the use of lasers during demonstrations, following clashes between police and pro-EU citizens. The law, which imposes a fine of 2,000 GEL ($720) on violators, was unanimously approved, Interpress news agency reported.

MPs also approved increases in fines for destroying buildings and blocking traffic. Convictions for organizing road blockades carry fines of up to 15,000 GEL ($5,400).

More than 400 people have been arrested since protests began in late November in the wake of government announcements that it was suspending the South Caucasus country’s EU accession talks.

The decision angered many in Georgia, where the idea of ​​joining the EU is popular. Over 100 serving diplomats signed an open letter to protest and ambassadors resigned from their posts.

Many protesters wear gas masks and cover their faces to avoid identification, and police in the capital Tbilisi have used water cannons and tear gas against them.

Some throw fireworks at the police. Others have used lasers in an attempt to “blind” police and security cameras outside the parliament building in Tbilisi.

Dozens of people, including police officers, have been injured. Around 30 people have been charged and two leading pro-European opposition figures have already been jailed.

The EU’s ambassador to Georgia said this week that police behavior towards protesters was unacceptable and could lead to sanctions from Brussels.

THE Prime Minister Irakli Kombahicze defended the police’s behavior and the country’s interior ministry has said more than 150 members of law enforcement have been injured.

Georgia’s parliament is expected tomorrow to elect a president to replace Salome Zourabisvili, a pro-European critic of the ruling party.

The only candidate for the post is Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former ruling party MP with anti-Western views.