State of emergency was declared in the occupied Abkhazia - the unrest resulted in arrest of several representatives of opposition.

Tensions flared up in occupied Abkhazia after the local security services reportedly detained 5 opposition figures. Scenes of confrontations in front of the security service headquarters appeared in the social media.

The escalation is linked to the public debate held in Gudauta concerning the controversial package of legislation that would legalize Russian “investments” and ownership of land and property.

Opponents of the de-facto leader of the region are firmly against such a move and announced a big rally on November 15. But Aslan Bzhania has been defending the need to fulfill Sokhumi’s “obligations” to Moscow.

The latest reports say locals are blocking the bridges in Gudauta and Kodori, demanding the release of the arrested persons. State of emergency is already declared.