Thousands of Georgians gathered for a concert in support of the arrested protesters

Thousands of Georgians gathered in the capital Tbilisi for a charity concert to raise funds for those arrested during weeks of protests against the controversial "foreign influence" law.

Georgia's parliament passed the controversial law, overcoming a presidential veto of the bill, which critics say is a reflection of Russian legislation used by Moscow to silence dissent.

Brussels and Washington have warned that the move will derail the Black Sea country from its path to European Union membership.

This sparked nearly two months of daily protests in which police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rallies, beating and arresting demonstrators.

Thousands of people gathered in Tbilisi's central Republic Square for an open-air concert by Georgian bands and singers.

Organizers said the purpose of the concert was to "collect donations for the demonstrators arrested during the protests."

Many of those attending the concert expressed their anger at the ruling Georgian Dream party, which faces mounting accusations that it is diverting Georgia from its western trajectory and back into Russia's orbit.

"They closed some of us, but we will win - Georgian Dream is counting its last months in power," said 38-year-old graphic engineer Niko Ladaria.

"They passed the Russian-style law against the will of the Georgian people and despite clear warnings that it kills Georgia's EU membership prospects," he told AFP.

The law requires non-governmental and media organizations that receive at least one-fifth of their funding from abroad to register as "organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign state."

Georgian Dream insists it is committed to Georgia's European aspirations and says the law will provide "transparency" on Western-funded groups it says are undermining the country's sovereignty.

Georgian activists, independent journalists and opposition politicians accuse the government of a concerted campaign of violence and threats.

Tensions have risen ahead of parliamentary elections in October, seen as a key democratic test.

Georgia's candidacy for EU membership is enshrined in the country's constitution and is supported - according to public opinion polls - by over 80% of the population. | BGNES