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Sokhumi Lifts Restrictions on Enguri Crossing Point

Bridge over Enguri river on the administrative boundary line with Abkhazia. Photo: Viktorija Samarinaite for Civil.ge, 2011

The “security service” of occupied Abkhazia announced on October 2 that “temporary restriction” on the Enguri crossing point of the administrative boundary line has been lifted.

Sokhumi temporarily closed the crossing point on June 27, citing “provocative” nature of June protest rallies in Tbilisi, as well as in the “bordering district” of Zugdidi. Sokhumi then said the rallies affected “Abkhaz statehood”.

Ethnic Georgian citizens, living in the Gali district of Abkhazia faced difficulties as a result of the closure. Aspiring students registered in the Gali district failed to cross the boundary line and participate in the Unified National Exams.

Authorities in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali periodically impose restrictions on movement through the crossing points.

Almost a month ago, Tskhinvali decided to impose restrictions on movement through the crossing point in the village of Odzisi, connecting occupied Akhalgori with the rest of Georgia.

According to the European Union Monitoring Mission, they observe approximately 400 crossings in Odzisi on a normal day.

In occupied Abkhazia, Gali is home to some 40,000 ethnic Georgians, who make up almost all of the district’s population;

In occupied Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia Akhalgori is home to approximately 2,500 ethnic Georgians, who make up 55.5% of the district’s population.

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