Tags: georgia abkhazia separatist protest russia

Protests in Georgian Separatist Region Block Bridges to Capital

Tuesday, 12 November 2024 05:01 AM EST

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Protesters on Tuesday blocked bridges leading to the capital of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared in a dispute over a proposed law that would encourage Russian investment.

News reports said that police and protesters clashed at one of the bridges, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Abkhazia is a region of about 245,000 people that had been largely under separatist control since the end of a war in 1993. Georgia lost control of the rest of the region in the short 2008 war with Russia.

Russia now formally recognizes Abkhazia as independent, but many of the region's residents are concerned about economic and political pressure from its giant northern neighbor.

The trouble broke out Monday after Abkhazia's parliament discussed a proposed law that would allow Russians to purchase land and property in Abkhazia, whose mountains and Black Sea beaches make it a popular tourist destination for Russians.

Five opponents of the bill were detained after the session, according to Russian and Georgian news reports, although what actions sparked the detentions weren't clear. Protesters demanding their release and objecting to the proposed law gathered at the republic's security services headquarters in the capital, Sukhumi.

The bridge blockades began during the night.

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania said Tuesday that unspecified efforts were underway to unblock the bridges and “the law enforcement agencies of Abkhazia have sufficient forces and resources to ensure security and law and order in the country."

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


GlobalTalk
Protesters on Tuesday blocked bridges leading to the capital of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared in a dispute over a proposed law that would encourage Russian investment.News reports said that police and protesters clashed at one of the bridges,...
georgia abkhazia separatist protest russia
246
2024-01-12
Tuesday, 12 November 2024 05:01 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved