GALI, DFWatch–Sokhumi has suspended the issuing of ‘visas’ which is needed by many Georgians to visit family and do business here in the southern Gali region of the breakaway republic.
Abkhazia halts issuing of ‘visas’ during FIFA World Cup
Georgians in Abkhazia
Breakaway Sokhumi plans to import Abkhazians from Middle East to shift demographics
GALI, DFWatch–Breakaway authorities in Sokhumi plan to invite ethnic Abkhazians in the Middle East to come and settle in the southern Gali and northern Gagra districts.
The scheme will shift the demographics in parts of the disputed territory where the Abkhazians are not
In Gali, Abkhazia, people wait in vain for a new border crossing to open
GALI, DFWatch–For almost a year and a half, people in Gali, in the south of breakaway Abkhazia, have been waiting for a new checkpoint to open on the administrative border line to Georgia proper, so far in vain.
Massive delays on Enguri bridge
TBILISI, DFWatch–Long queues on the Enguri bridge has caused major interruptions for people wanting to cross the de facto border between Abkhazia and Georgia proper.
Locals told DFWatch the immediate reason for the traffic jam is that only one out of four passport counters is operational on the Abkhaz side,
Seven Georgian schools may be closed in the southern part of Abkhazia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s breakaway authorities are planning to close seven Georgian schools in Gali, according to locals, who fear that such a decision, if taken, will cause the district to be depopulated.
The school closures are being considered as part of an ‘optimization’ plan for the public schools in Abkhazia.
A shopping mall near the Abkhazian border offers services to people on both sides
ZUGDIDI, DFWatch–A five hectare shopping mall in Rukhi, only meters from the administrative border line (ABL) with breakaway Abkhazia, is doing good business, says its director David Machavariani, speaking to DFWatch.
“Of course, the idea has justified itself, as [the mall] allows people to have more access to the services closer to their homes.
Sokhumi's lack of a heart clinic leads many to seek treatment in Georgia proper
GALI, DFWatch–Abkhazia’s de facto authorities have not managed to open a much needed heart clinic in Sokhumi due to the lack of qualified medical staff, a Georgian cardiologist who was involved in the process told DFWatch.
Abkhazian 'residency permit' enforced by threat of cutting off pensions
GALI, DFWatch–After requiring people to obtain a residency permit which costs almost USD 200, breakaway Abkhazia now threatens to cut off pensions and teachers’ salaries of those who don’t comply. Locals in the Gali region consider the new regulation a form of blackmail.
Minibuses replacing horse carts at Enguri Bridge
GALI, DFWatch–Four-wheel horse carts (‘tachkas’) are still the main means of transport for crossing the Enguri Bridge, which separates breakaway Abkhazia from Georgia proper. However, recently three ‘marshrutkas’ have started competing for this profitable business,
Georgians in Abkhazia cancel harvest, claim pesticide withheld by regime
GALI, DFWatch–Georgian hazelnut farmer in Abkhazia canceled this year’s harvest after de facto authorities failed to hand out vital pesticide to battle a bug.
The bug has already ravaged farms in Western Georgia but the damage is even worse in the breakaway region