TBILISI, Georgia — On Tuesday, demonstrators obstructed bridges leading to the capital of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia amidst rising tensions concerning a proposed law aimed at promoting Russian investment.
Reports indicate that confrontations occurred between police and protesters at one of the bridges; however, there have been no immediate confirmations of injuries.
Abkhazia is home to approximately 245,000 residents and has been largely under separatist governance since the conclusion of a war in 1993. Following a brief conflict with Russia in 2008, Georgia lost control of the remainder of the region.
While Russia officially recognizes Abkhazia’s independence, many locals express concerns regarding the economic and political influence exerted by the much larger nation to the north.
Tensions escalated on Monday after the parliament of Abkhazia reviewed a proposed law permitting Russians to acquire land and properties in the region, renowned for its picturesque mountains and beaches along the Black Sea, attracting many Russian tourists.
Following the parliamentary session, five opponents of the legislation were reportedly taken into custody, although the circumstances leading to their detention remain unclear. Protesters have congregated at the headquarters of the republic’s security services in Sukhumi, demanding their release and opposing the proposed legislation.
The blockades of the bridges initiated during the night hours.
On Tuesday, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania announced that undisclosed measures were being implemented to clear the blockaded bridges and asserted that “the law enforcement agencies of Abkhazia possess adequate forces and resources to maintain security and order within the country.”
