INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia on Wednesday ratified a deal transferring a dacha in the coastal town of Pitsunda to
voted 26-2 in favor of ratification, with seven members absent.The transfer comes with a symbolic annual payment of 1 ruble ($0.01).The
parliament was expected to convene at 11 a.m
for the vote, but members arrived at 5 a.m
in what critics called an attempt to avoid protests
Despite their efforts, some protesters and journalists were present outside the parliament at the unexpectedly early hour, with more
protests planned for later in the day.The date of the vote had already been moved forward after initially being scheduled for Thursday
Hundreds of protesters began to gather outside the parliament on Tuesday, with more expected.The agreement to sell the dacha building and
lease 301 adjoining hectares of land and sea for 49 years to the FSO dates to 1995, but no practical steps had been taken since to transfer
ratification in July 2022.Several amendments were added to the agreement to appease protesters, including a requirement that the FSO obtain
permission to construct new buildings or facilities on the land and a clause that terminates the agreement if the FSO donates, sells or
transfers the dacha to a third party.Russia has maintained a permanent military base in Abkhazia since its five-day war against Georgia in
