Protests blocking bridges in Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia end

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Protests that blocked bridges to the capital of the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia have ended Tuesday after authorities freed five opposition supporters who were jailed the night before. The unrest was sparked by a parliament session considering ratification of an agreement with Russia that would allow Russians to buy land and residences. Abkhazia’s mountains and Black Sea coast make it appealing to Russian tourists. Russia recognizes Abkhazia as independent. Opponents of the measure say it would sell out sovereignty of Abkhazia’s 245,000 people to its giant northern neighbor.