Georgian authorities detained a prominent opposition figure Saturday on suspicion of trying to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court office building, the Interior Ministry said.

Alexander Elisashvili, also known as Aleko, broke into the court chancellery building in the Georgian capital at dawn by smashing a window with a hammer, then poured gasoline on the perimeter of the office, the ministry said in a Facebook statement.

The 47-year-old, who founded the Citizens party and was formerly an opposition lawmaker, had a firearm and injured a court official during his arrest, according to the ministry.

Video released by authorities appeared to show a handgun on the ground, a bottle of gasoline, a lighter and shattered glass. Footage also showed Elisashvili with visible bruises under his eyes.

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