Wednesday, 20 Nov 2024

Leader of Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia resigns, ending unrest

Following days of unrest in which the opposition seized government buildings, the leader of Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia has resigned.


Leader of Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia resigns, ending unrest
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An agreement to end the unrest was reached on Tuesday, Russian media reported, with Bzhania submitting his resignation after all, and the opposition agreeing to leave the occupied buildings. Russian state media outlet Sputnik quoted Abkhazian Vice President Badra Gunba as saying that the agreement was reached after more than nine hours of negotiations.

Bzhania's resignation - which he promised to walk back if the protesters didn't cede control of government buildings - was approved by Abkhazia's parliament on Tuesday afternoon, and Gunba became the province's acting president, Spuntik reported.

Abkhazia's mountains and Black Sea beaches make it a popular destination for Russian tourists and the demand for holiday homes could be strong.

At least 14 people were injured Friday when opposition protesters clashed with police, Russian state news agencies reported.

Lawmakers had gathered at the region's parliament building to discuss ratifying measures allowing Russian citizens to buy property in the breakaway state. However, the session was postponed as demonstrators broke down the gate to the building's grounds with a truck and streamed inside. Some threw rocks at police, who responded with tear gas.

The arrest of five opposition figures at a similar demonstration last week set off widespread protests the next day in which bridges leading to Sukhumi were blocked.

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