Protests erupted in Abkhazia, a breakaway province of Georgia, as opposition demonstrators refused to relinquish control of government buildings seized during rallies earlier in the week. The unrest stemmed from new measures allowing Russians to purchase property in the region, sparking outrage among protesters.
The demonstrators, demanding the removal of self-styled Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania, threatened to establish a temporary government if their demands were not met. Bzhania, supported by Russia, indicated readiness to step aside temporarily and hold early elections, despite labeling the protests as an attempted coup.
