The Security Service of the self-proclaimed Abkhazia says it detained two residents of Sochi and expelled them after they took photos with a Georgian flag in Sukhumi.
Nina Bronik (born 1983) and her son Timur Ugurov (born 2008) arrived in Sukhumi by private car on April 10. The agency claims Bronik photographed her son holding a Georgian flag near the entrance to the city.
The SS released a video of the two individuals. In the footage, Ugurov says he was traveling to visit relatives and took the photo near the city sign, adding that passersby reported the incident to the authorities.
Bronik says in the video that she had lived in Abkhazia until 1993. Both she and her son apologize, stating they did not intend to offend anyone or “call into question the sovereignty” of Abkhazia.
The SS says the two were released after what it described as a “preventive conversation” and subsequently left the region accompanied by agency representatives.
Similar incidents have been reported in recent years. In 2025, Russian citizen Otar Kobakhidze was expelled after posting a video in Sukhumi referring to Abkhazia as his homeland. In 2024, businessman Erasty Bukia was also expelled after making statements about returning to his home following the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity.
Videos recorded by Georgian citizens in Abkhazia have also sparked controversy on several occasions.
