By suspending talks with the E.U., the party was decisively pivoting to Russia and away from its European aspirations — one of the few goals most Georgians agree on.

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

Georgian police have raided the offices of an opposition party and arrested its leader in an apparent attempt to squelch a wave of mass protests over the decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union.