Six detained during clashes between police, activists near ‘Supreme Council of Abkhazia’

Police have detained six individuals during clashes which occurred between activists and law enforcers in front of the ‘Supreme Council of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia’ earlier today.

The Interior Ministry reports that the six social activists have been detained ‘for disobeying a lawful order of police officers and petty hooliganism’

Activists demanded the lifting of the 5-day quarantine regime for the residents of the Russia-occupied territories. They also wanted to meet with the members of the government of the 'Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia', though police did not allow them to enter the building.

On April 7 rescuers found bodies of four individuals who were trying to cross onto territory controlled by the central government of Georgia from Russia-occupied Gali through the Enguri River.

• UPDATED: the body of a fourth individual found on the banks of Enguri River
• Reconciliation Minister says tragic death of 3 near occupation line ‘once again shows real face of Russian occupation’

The IDPs and part of civil society state that the reason for crossing the dangerous rivers are the rules of the occupation regime, as well as the 5-day quarantine imposed by the Georgian government.

Georgia’s Russia-occupied Abkhazia region has been completely closed since February 27, when the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Georgia. Since then the residents of Gali district say they are experiencing a humanitarian crisis.

It has been nearly a year since locals of Gali district have been deprived of basic rights, including quality medical aid. They are not able to receive pensions of IDP benefits.

The reason is that locals of Gali used to receive money in Zugdidi or elsewhere on Tbilisi-controlled territory, but now the border have been closed at the Enguri Bridge crossing point by the Sukhumi de-facto government amid the pandemic.