Georgian prosecutors raided the homes of some of the country's most powerful former officials on Friday, including ex–prime minister Irakli Garibashvili, signalling what may be a shakeup within the country's ruling elite.

The searches targeted figures long associated with the governing Georgian Dream party and the country's security establishment.

It was not immediately clear why prosecutors conducted the raids and the ruling party did not immediately comment.

Authorities in the Black Sea nation have for months waged a crackdown on the opposition, jailing prominent pro-EU figures, but had until now not targeted people close to the ruling party.

The ex-Soviet republic bordering Russia has been mired in political crisis since last October, when Georgian Dream claimed victory in parliamen

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