Abkhazia Residents Oppose Land Transfer to Russia
Residents in Russian-occupied Abkhazia are openly protesting the transfer of a significant parcel of land to Russia.
Cameron Jordan
- 2023-12-27
- Updated 07:33 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - A group of residents in the breakaway region of Abkhazia has published a letter decrying the transfer of the Bichvinta residence to the Russian Federation. This transfer entails the loss of Abkhazian jurisdiction over an area previously controlled by the territory. The disputed handover has not been transparently communicated to the public, with no details of the newly agreed-upon territorial coordinates disclosed.
Concern Over Loss of Maritime Access
The region in question encompasses a total of 345 hectares, comprising 180 hectares of marine waters, 155 hectares of the Bichvinta restricted areas, and 9 hectares of residential quarters. The transaction is set to divest Abkhazia of access to its maritime borders, essential sanctuaries, and the nation's sole maritime gate that facilitates ship entry under optimal navigational conditions.
Amidst considerable discontent, lawmakers were unable to justify the expedited parliamentary session that confirmed the transaction or to address the legal disarray evident in the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia. Locals gathered at the parliament were left without an explanation for the sudden political maneuvers.
Territorial Loss Sparking Outrage
Described as an without precedent case of peacetime territorial loss, the situation has ignited outrage among residents and observers alike. Today, the so-called Parliament of occupied Abkhazia ratified the agreement for the transfer of the Bichvinta residence, a deal that had earlier been signed by the self-proclaimed President of occupied Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania. This legal and political development marks a substantial shift in the control over and access to critical parts of the disputed region's territory.
