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

The separatist person of Georgia's breakaway portion of Abkhazia resigned connected Tuesday aft days of unrest, successful which the absorption and its supporters seized cardinal authorities buildings and astatine slightest 14 radical were injured successful clashes with police.

Demonstrators stormed the buildings connected Friday to protestation caller measures allowing Russians to bargain spot successful the seaside region, and demanded the ouster of self-styled Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania, who is backed by Moscow. Bzhania said that helium was prepared to resign if the protesters cede power of the buildings, but the absorption refused to bash truthful until helium stepped down.

PROTESTERS STORM PUTIN-BACKED PARLIAMENT IN GEORGIA BREAKAWAY REGION

An statement to extremity the unrest was reached connected Tuesday, Russian media reported, with Bzhania submitting his resignation aft all, and the absorption agreeing to permission the occupied buildings. Russian authorities media outlet Sputnik quoted Abkhazian Vice President Badra Gunba arsenic saying that the statement was reached aft much than 9 hours of negotiations.

In this photograph taken from video released by Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia connected Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania, center, chairs a Security Council gathering successful the colony of Tamishi, successful Georgia’s breakaway state of Abkhazia.  (Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia via AP)

Bzhania's resignation — which helium promised to locomotion backmost if the protesters didn't cede power of authorities buildings — was approved by Abkhazia's parliament connected Tuesday afternoon, and Gunba became the province's acting president, Spuntik reported.

Most of Abkhazia broke distant from Georgia successful warring that ended successful 1993, and Georgia mislaid power of the remainder of the territory successful a abbreviated warfare with Russia successful 2008. Russia recognizes Abkhazia arsenic an autarkic country, but galore Abkhazians are acrophobic that the portion of astir 245,000 radical is simply a lawsuit authorities of Moscow.

Abkhazia’s mountains and Black Sea beaches marque it a fashionable destination for Russian tourists and the request for vacation homes could beryllium strong.

At slightest 14 radical were injured Friday erstwhile absorption protesters clashed with police, Russian authorities quality agencies reported.

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Lawmakers had gathered astatine the region’s parliament gathering to sermon ratifying measures allowing Russian citizens to bargain spot successful the breakaway state. However, the league was postponed arsenic demonstrators broke down the gross to the building’s grounds with a motortruck and streamed inside. Some threw rocks astatine police, who responded with teardrop gas.

The apprehension of 5 absorption figures astatine a akin objection past week acceptable disconnected wide protests the adjacent time successful which bridges starring to Sukhumi were blocked.