GEORGIAN police raided the offices of an opposition party on Wednesday and arrested its leader for encouraging violence during protests.

The protests were triggered by the governing party’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union.

During the past six nights, riot police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who threw fireworks at police officers and built barricades on the Georgian capital’s central boulevard. 

More than 300 protesters have reportedly been detained during the protests and over 100 people have been treated for injuries.

On Wednesday, the Coalition for Change opposition party said that police raided its offices and detained its leader, Nika Gvaramia. 

Georgian media reported that police also raided the offices of several other opposition groups and non-government organisations.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the Georgian Dream party said the raids targeted those who encouraged violence during protests in an attempt to topple his government. “I wouldn’t call this repression, it is more of a preventive measure than repression,” he said.

The ruling Georgian Dream retained control of parliament in the October 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s EU aspirations. 

The opposition and the pro-Western president have accused the governing party of rigging the vote with neighbouring Russia’s help and boycotted parliamentary sessions.