TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Mass protests in Georgia fueled by the governing party’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union entered a second week on Thursday, with police cracking down on the protesters with increasing force in an attempt to curb the demonstrations.

Police in the Georgian capital have again moved to disperse thousands of demonstrators after over 200 people were detained during four previous nights of protests against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union.

Police clashed with protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi early on Friday, after the country’s ruling party said the government would suspend talks on European Union accession and refuse budgetary grants until 2028.

Local media in Georgia reported that police carried out raids targeting the offices of several opposition groups and non-governmental organizations.

Georgian Dream says it favours a pragmatic policy with Russia, which backs two regions which split from Georgia after it left the Soviet Union. The party says its aim is to safegu

Thousands have protested in Tbilisi against the suspension of EU accession talks. Police have used water cannons and tear gas, with violence also directed at journalists. View on euronews