Riot police in Georgia have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of anti-government protestors blocking the centre of the capital Tbilisi.
The assault by special forces wearing gas masks cleared several thousand demonstrators who had been occupying the central avenue outside parliament.
Police could be seen beating and punching protestors, but there were no immediate reports of serious injury.
The violence comes after six days of protests against President Mikheil Saakashvili, who came to power in the peaceful Rose Revolution in 2003, but is under growing pressure from opponents amid corruption allegations.
Protestors in Tbilisi have been demanding Mr Saakashvili's resignation and early parliamentary elections.
Activists insist their protests would continue.
