Georgia has been rocked by protests after its increasingly autocratic government said it would halt the former Soviet country’s bid to join the European Union.

Otar Berdzenishvili, the Georgian ambassador to Bulgaria, has reported on his Twitter account about his resignation due to the failed EU integration. This is the first such case in protest against the actions of the Georgian authorities.

The halting of EU accession talks has reignited protests in Tbilisi, prompting the police to crack down. More than 100 serving Georgian diplomats have signed a letter criticizing the government's move away from Brussels.