The leader of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia resigns, putting an end to the unrest

The separatist leader of Abkhazia, the breakaway region of Georgia resigned on Tuesday after days of unrest, during which the opposition and its supporters seized key government buildings and at least 14 people were injured in clashes with police.

Protesters stormed the buildings on Friday to protest new measures allowing Russians to buy real estate in the coastal region and demanded the ouster of self-proclaimed Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania, who is backed through Moscow. Bzhania said he was willing to resign if protesters relinquished control of the buildings, but the opposition refused to do so until he resigned.

Demonstrators storm the Putin-backed parliament in the breakaway region of Georgia

An agreement was reached on Tuesday to end the unrest, Russian media reported. Bzjania still submitted his resignation and the opposition agreed to leave the occupied buildings. Russian state media outlet Sputnik quoted Abkhaz Vice President Badra Gunba as saying the agreement was reached after more than nine hours of negotiations.

In this photo taken from a video released by the Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia on Monday, November 18, 2024, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania (center) presides over a Security Council meeting in the village of Tamishi, in the breakaway province of Georgia, Abkhazia. (Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia via AP)

Bzjania’s resignation – which he vowed to walk back if protesters did not relinquish control of government buildings – was approved by Abkhazia’s parliament on Tuesday afternoon, and Gunba became the province’s acting president, Spuntik reported.

Most of Abkhazia seceded from Georgia in the fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory during a brief war with Russia in 2008. Russia recognizes Abkhazia as an independent country, but many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 inhabitants is becoming a puppet state is. from Moscow.

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

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

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Lawmakers had gathered at the region’s parliament building to discuss ratification measures that would allow Russian citizens to buy real estate in the breakaway state. However, the session was postponed as protesters used a truck to break open the gate to the building’s grounds and streamed inside. Some threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas.

The arrest of five opposition figures during a similar demonstration last week sparked widespread protests the next day, blocking bridges to Sukhumi.