In a sign of a widening crackdown, security agents have searched the offices and homes of prominent activists and opposition leaders who fear the country is turning closer to Russia.

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.

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