Russia again closed its border with Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia on November 18, citing an unstable situation in the unrecognized republic.
Itar-Tass news agency reported that the border will be closed every night from 18 pm to 8:00 am Moscow times. The border was already closed once overnight on November 15-16.
According to the Itar-Tass, officials from the Russian Border Guard Service say that restrictions will be in force until the situation improves in Abkhazia.
After visiting Moscow in early November, the Abkhaz opposition presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh made a clear hint that Russian officials, who support pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba, are mounting pressure on him by threatening economic sanctions against Abkhazia, including closure of the border.