Mass protests in the capital of Abkhazia: 2 bridges blocked, “authorities” are pulling in military equipment

Mass protests in the capital of Abkhazia: 2 bridges blocked, “authorities” amass military equipment Anzhelika Baibak

Large-scale protests broke out in Sukhumi, the capital of Georgia's occupied region of Abkhazia, late in the evening of November 11. Most of the protesters gathered near the building of the so-called “State Security Service”, which is the equivalent of the Russian FSB, while others went out to Freedom Square.

In addition, protesters blocked 2 bridges in Sukhumi. What is happening in Abkhazia now and why the protests broke out – reports 24 Channel with reference to local media.

Large-scale protests rocked Abkhazia

Late in the evening, large-scale protests broke out in the largest city and capital of the occupied region of Abkhazia, Sukhumi. Local residents surrounded the building of the so-called “State Security Service”, went out to Freedom Square, blocked the Gumista Bridge and the bridge over the Kodori River. It is reported that clashes have already occurred between protesters and law enforcement officers in Abkhazia.

Protests in Abkhazia: watch the video

Protests in Abkhazia: watch the video

The cause of the mass unrest was a number of events. Firstly, the local opposition and the people spoke out against the new law on the status of multifunctional complexes. Thus, the new law can literally turn Sukhumi into a bad analogue of Sochi, uncontrolled residential development will raise real estate prices, and Abkhazians will not be able to compete with wealthier residents of large Russian cities.

Secondly, local “authorities” detained 5 representatives of the opposition, who also spoke out against the law and supported the mood of the locals. As Ekho Kavkaza writes, the oppositionists are Omar Smir, Harry Kokai, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Ramaz Dzhopua and Aslan Guaramii.

Detention of oppositionists: watch the video

The special service of the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia detained the politicians when they were returning from a meeting with the local population. In the “best traditions” the detention was very brutal, the special forces used force, and the video that was distributed on the Internet caused a new wave of indignation of the already dissatisfied and angry population of Abkhazia.

Moreover, local representatives of the “authorities” did not publish any official statements about why the politicians were detained. Now the protesters are demanding the release of the oppositionists. Moreover, they say that they do not plan to leave the streets until their demands are met.

At the same time, the local “authorities” do not officially react to the events. However, military equipment is already being pulled up to the residence of the “president” of Abkhazia.

Military equipment in the capital of Abkhazia: watch the video

Why Abkhazia is against the law on multifunctional complexes

Abkhazia is facing considerable problems in real estate matters. Thus, last winter, local “authorities” tried to adopt a law “On regulating the legal status of multifunctional complexes.” However, this was also accompanied by considerable criticism, since residents accuse the former head of the Krasnodar Territory and Minister of Agriculture Alexander Tkachev of lobbying for the construction of these complexes. Then “President” Aslan Bzhania withdrew the law.

In return, the local population demands that the laws in the field of cadastral registration be first regulated. In addition, the Abkhazians are worried that the already overloaded communications system may not be able to withstand it, since the energy system and water supply are not ready for this. Thus, last winter in Abkhazia, power outages were introduced for 4-8 hours a day, and with the construction of new complexes, they may become even longer.