Clashes Erupt in Georgia’s Abkhazia Over Property Deal with Russia

TBILISI, Georgia — Tensions in Georgia’s separatist region of Abkhazia turned violent on Friday as police clashed with hundreds of demonstrators protesting a proposed deal that would allow Russians to purchase property there.

The protests took place outside the regional parliament in Sukhumi, where lawmakers were set to vote on an agreement allowing Russian citizens to buy apartments in the region. Abkhazia, known for its picturesque mountains and Black Sea beaches, has long been a popular destination for Russian tourists.

Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia after a war in 1993, and the region’s separation was further solidified following Russia’s brief war with Georgia in 2008. While Russia recognizes Abkhazia as an independent state, many Abkhazians worry that the region, with a population of around 245,000, is becoming increasingly reliant on Moscow.

Opponents of the property deal argue that it would favor Russians, push up property prices, and increase Russia’s control over the region. Many fear that the deal would further erode the region’s sovereignty and cement its status as a client state of Russia.