Standing in the chaos of a massive demonstration in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a protester hoisted a firework decorated with Christmas drawings over his shoulder, aimed, and shot, sending multicoloured sparkles flying towards riot police.

Fireworks were shot towards riot police on the steps of parliament and a water cannon was fired at demonstrators. The country's pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, who was due to step down from her post this month,