Georgia: Russians and Abkhaz Wrangle over Deserted Property

Abkhaz are elbowing out Russians from their homes in the separatist region of Abkhazia, straining relations between Sukhumi and its political and military guardian, Moscow.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs fired a protest note to Abkhaz authorities over purported attempts to squeeze out Russian homeowners, Russia's Regnum news agency reported on February 4. Attracted by Abkhazia's sun and seashore, Russians have been purchasing property in the territory since Moscow recognized the breakaway region as an independent country in 2008, Regnum reported. Among the purchased real estate are many properties originally owned by ethnic Georgians who fled Abkhazia during 1992-1994 separatist war.

Ekho Moskvy radio reported that if Russian homeowners leave Abkhazia for an extended period of time, local authorities declare their houses and apartments deserted and put them up for resale. Abkhaz real estate attorney Tamaz Ketsba told Moskovsky Komsomolets that there have been as many as 4,000 complaints filed in local courts over such practices.

Representatives of the de facto Abkhaz government in Sokhumi could not be reached for comment.