Pro-Russia bill triggers protests in Georgia breakaway region

Protesters stormed parliament and are calling for the president to resign over a Russian investment bill.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersPro-Russia bill triggers protests in Georgia breakaway regionProtesters storm parliament building in Georgia breakaway region AbkhaziaProtesters in the breakaway Georgia region of Abkhazia have stormed parliament and the presidential complex after the government planned to approve a controversial pro-Russia bill.

The bill, which would have legalised Russian investment and land ownership, is being withdrawn after protesters took control of the government quarter in the capital Sukhumi.

Both the president and prime minister have reportedly fled the presidential compound.

Abkhazia declared its independence in 1999, and Moscow recognised the region as an independent state after the Georgian-Russian war in 2008. Georgia declared Abkhazia as "occupied" by Russia. Most countries regard the area as part of Georgia.

Located along the Black Sea and Caucasus mountains, Abkhazia is known for its natural beauty and coastline. Locals feared an influx of Russian investment could ruin the landscape with residential complexes and price locals out of the property market.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c206dyxkg01o

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