The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) reported on Russia’s aggressive annexation strategies toward Abkhazia, characterized by the harassment of civil society and international institutions. The report emphasizes the presence of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire, which poses a significant security concern for the region.
There is an overwhelmingly high number of illegally detained individuals near the occupied territories, creating a substantial safety challenge for Georgians and posing risks to the execution of basic human rights.
“The situation in the area of human rights protection is particularly difficult in the occupied regions. The conditions for ethnic Georgians in prisons and detention facilities are alarming. Last year, Vitali Karbaia, a resident of Gali, died from injuries inflicted by the police in occupied Abkhazia, and Irakli Bebua has remained in illegal detention for the fourth year. Additionally, the restriction of the right to receive education continues to be a challenge for the ethnically Georgian population of Abkhazia as of 2024,” DRI declared.
