Occupied Abkhazia restricts movement on Enguri Bridge crossing point
Only Russian citizens are allowed to enter the occupied region despite the recent restrictions. Photo: Erik Hoeg
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De facto authorities of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia have imposed restrictions on the Enguri Bridge, which is the only crossing point connecting the region with the rest of Georgia.
The “acting president” of Abkhazia Valeri Bganba advised the locals not to travel out of the region amid the threat of the new coronavirus. Moreover, only Russian citizens will be allowed to enter the region until April 7 inclusive.
Reportedly, occupied Abkhazia is expecting to receive coronavirus test from the Russian town of Novosibirsk.
Georgia has suspended directs flights with China and Iran amid the recent outbreak of the China-born COVID-19. However, the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control recently reported that the country still remains in the low-risk zone.
Meanwhile, occupied Abkhazia is preparing for the "presidential elections" on March 22 as its former de facto leader Raul Khajimba resigned in mid-January amid the large-scale protest.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said the safety of the population in the Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia is the key priority amid current tension there.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has stated that ‘peace and talks” with Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia region are “critically important,” responding to the recent statement of ‘Abkhaz opposition leader’ Aslan Bzhania, who is running in the region’s de facto presidential elections on March 22.
Movement along the Enguri Bridge crossing point between occupied Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia has been restricted, after two people were killed in Sokhumi at noon yesterday. The media reports that people are being allowed to enter Abkhazia but not to leave the region.
The de facto leadership of Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Abkhazia announced today that the closure of the so-called border between the region and the rest of the country has been abolished.
Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia will temporarily open the Enguri Bridge crossing point, which connects the occupied region with the rest of Georgia, from 9am to 7pm on July 22-24.
Georgia’s Russia-occupied region of Abkhazia will open the Enguri Bridge crossing point, which connects the occupied region with the rest of the country, until December 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.