Clashes erupt between opposition supporters, de facto security forces on Kodori bridge in occupied Abkhazia

Opposition supporters clashed with de facto security forces on the Kodori Bridge in occupied Abkhazia late late on Monday, with video footage of the confrontation being circulated by the Telegram channel Respublica. The altercation has sparked further unrest as the protest movement against new deals between Russia and the de facto authorities gains momentum in the Georgian region.

Following a series of protests, several opposition figures were detained, including Omar Smir, Gari Kokaia, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Ramaz Jopua, and Aslan Gvaramia. They were reportedly apprehended after returning from a public gathering in Gudauta and were subsequently transferred to the so-called State Security Service.

In response to the escalating situation, opposition supporters blocked the Gumista and Kodori bridges, leading to an extraordinary meeting of Abkhazia’s de facto Security Council. The region’s de facto President Aslan Bzhania convened the council to discuss preventive measures taken by security leaders to curb “illegal actions.”

The protests are expected to continue, with opposition leaders planning a demonstration on November 15, when Abkhazia’s de facto parliament is set to debate the ratification of a Russian-Abkhazian investment agreement.