Violent clashes between police and anti-government demonstrators broke out overnight in Georgia for the third night in a row following the government's deicision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.

The government’s decision to suspend its bid for European Union membership has driven thousands of protesters onto the streets.

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.