Protesters in the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia have taken to blocking bridges leading to the capital in response to a proposed law aimed at encouraging Russian investment. The tensions escalated as police clashed with protesters at one of the bridges, although no injuries have been reported thus far.
Abkhazia, home to approximately 245,000 people, has been under separatist control since the conclusion of a war in 1993. Following a brief conflict with Russia in 2008, Georgia lost control of the remainder of the region. Despite Russia's formal recognition of Abkhazia as an independent entity, many residents are apprehensive about potential economic and political influence from their larger northern neighbor.
