Tbilisi, 30 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Police in the South Caucasus republic of Georgia reported on Saturday that 107 people were arrested during protests the previous night in the capital Tbilisi alone.

"Despite repeated appeals by representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the action on (the main street) Rustaveli Prospekt in front of the Georgian parliament building repeatedly exceeded the norms set by the law for assemblies and rallies," the ministry said.

Demonstrators had thrown stones at police officers, built barricades and burnt objects, according to the statement.

The protests were said to be the largest in recent weeks following the disputed victory of the ruling Georgian Dream party in October's parliamentary elections.

Opposition over the allegedly fraudulent results gained fresh impetus following the government's suspension on Thursday of accession talks with the EU.

According to surveys, the majority of the population is in favour of joining the EU, a goal which is enshrined in the constitution.

Tens of thousands of people reportedly took to the streets in Tbilisi, with more protests taking place in other cities in the Black Sea republic.

The police reported that 10 officers were injured during the clashes, one of whom is still in hospital.

The authorities did not provide any information on the number of injured demonstrators after police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

After severe criticism - including from Brussels - of the election process and the government's increasingly authoritarian course, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared that EU accession talks would be suspended until 2028.

Georgian Dream views Brussels' criticism as interference and blackmail, while the opposition fears that turning away from Europe will give Russia more influence in Georgia again.