Georgia police on Saturday said that they arrested tens of people for “disobedience to law enforcement requests and hooliganism,” following the ninth day of pro-EU protests in the Caucasus country.

In the statement issued through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the police reported that they had appealed to demonstrators to maintain a peaceful protest; however, certain individuals among them resorted to violence. Such violent actions, according to the statement, involved attacks against the police, damaging property, and preparing an explosion, citing articles 225, 239 (1), and 353 (1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

According to Article 239(1), public incitement to violence with the intent to create discord among groups “based on racial, religious, national, provincial, ethnic, social, political, or linguistic characteristics,” face penalties that include fines or community service ranging from 200 to 400 hours

Under Article 353(1), assault on police officers or other representatives of the authorities, including attacks on their official or residential buildings, vehicles, or family members in connection with their official duties is punishable by imprisonment ranging from four to seven years.

The actions of the police during these protests, however, have been widely criticized by human rights groups, the European Union, and the United States. Earlier this month, Amnesty International condemned the police violence and mass arrests as ways of suppressing dissent. Moreover, the US State Department announced the suspension of the Strategic Partnership with Georgia, condemning the excessive force against protesters and the anti-democratic path taken by Georgia.

The latest protests in Georgia, sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s suspension of EU integration talks, mark another chapter in what has been a tumultuous year for the country. Following weeks of unrest over the controversial October 26 parliamentary elections, opposition leaders have boycotted parliament and accused the government of election rigging, while President Salome Zourabichvili has called for new elections.