TBILISI, Georgia — Opposition demonstrators in the breakaway region of Abkhazia continued their hold on important government facilities that they took over during protests earlier in the week, resulting in at least 14 injuries from confrontations with law enforcement.
The unrest began on Friday when protestors attacked government buildings to voice their discontent against new regulations permitting Russians to purchase property in the coastal area.
On Sunday, the protesters reiterated their calls for the resignation of Aslan Bzhania, who claims the title of president. One influential politician, Temur Gulia, declared that if Bzhania does not resign, the opposition would establish a temporary government to maintain state functions. “Should our demands for the president’s resignation go unheeded, we have no choice but to create a provisional government to facilitate the regular operations of government agencies,” he stated to his supporters, as reported by local news outlets.
Bzhania, who has the backing of Russia, indicated on Sunday that he might be willing to temporarily step down and conduct early elections, although he labeled the protests as an “attempted coup d’etat.”
Critics of the property legislation fear it could lead to inflated housing costs and increase Moscow’s influence in the region. Bzhania also mentioned that he would only agree to hold snap elections on the condition that the demonstrators vacate the parliament building. Responding to his offer, crowds in the Abkhazian capital, Sukhumi, rejected the proposal and insisted on Bzhania resigning unconditionally.
Meanwhile, protesters have started tearing down security barriers surrounding the government complex in Sukhumi. An opposition leader described these metal barriers as a representation of the disconnect between the government and its citizens. “This barrier illustrates how the administration has chosen to isolate itself from the public,” remarked Adgur Ardzinba, according to local media sources.
Abkhazia has been largely autonomous from Georgia following conflict that concluded in 1993, and Georgia lost further control during a short war with Russia in 2008. While Russia considers Abkhazia a separate entity, many locals harbor concerns that the region of approximately 245,000 is primarily a vassal of Moscow.
The area’s scenic mountains and Black Sea beaches attract numerous Russian tourists, fueling a strong demand for vacation properties.
At least 14 individuals sustained injuries when clashes erupted between opposition demonstrators and police on Friday, as reported by Russian state agencies. Lawmakers at the regional parliament had convened to discuss the ratification of the property acquisition measures intended for Russian citizens. However, as the protests escalated, demonstrators breached the gate using a truck and entered the building’s grounds, leading to skirmishes where rocks were thrown at police, who subsequently deployed tear gas in response.
The detainment of five opposition activists during a similar protest on Monday triggered a wave of protests the next day, resulting in blockades of key bridges leading into Sukhumi.
