De facto Abkhazia restricts movement to Tbilisi-controlled territory ahead of run-offs

The Enguri Bridge crossing point was temporarily closed today. Photo: 1TV.

Agenda.ge, 28 Oct 2021 - 14:08, Tbilisi,Georgia

The de facto government of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region has temporarily closed the only checkpoint to the Tbilisi-controlled territory ahead of municipal election run-offs on Saturday. 

The Enguri bridge crossing point will be closed between October 28 and 30. Only individuals in need of urgent medical care will be allowed to cross into the Tbilisi-controlled territory while the restriction is in force. 

The closure of the crossing point causes serious problems for locals, who buy everyday items and receive medical care in the Tbilisi-controlled territory. 

The Georgian State Security Service says the de facto government frequently ‘invents reasons’ to make ‘such illegal decisions’, which further aggravates a severe humanitarian situation in the region.

The agency has already informed the European Union Monitoring Mission of the issue. 

Russia recognized the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent countries in the wake of the Russia-Georgia war of 2008.

Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have given further recognition so far.

The rest of the international community says the regions are occupied by Russia and urges the latter to withdraw its troops.