The unrest broke out in connection with a bill proposing to allow Russians to buy real estate in the region. Demonstrators who opposed the proposal stormed the Abkhazian parliament building and presidential office on Friday and clashed with the police.
The parliament was to have discussed the approval of the proposal, but postponed the session when the demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the government building. The demonstrators allegedly rammed a gate with a truck and poured into the area, where they threw stones at the police, who responded with tear gas.
The office of President Aslan Bzhania later announced that he is preparing a presidential order to stop the law. Opponents of the law amendment believe that it would drive up housing prices and increase Moscow's dominance in the region.
Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in battles that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control over the rest of the territory after a Russian military offensive in 2008.
Russia recognizes Abkhazia as an independent country – something few other countries do.
