Explainer: How Does Russia Loom Over Abkhazia’s Latest Protests?

Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region was rocked by protests this week after five activists opposing a controversial investment treaty with Russia were detained and held by security services.  Though all detainees were released on Tuesday after nearly 24 hours of protests, tensions persist as the region’s parliament is set to vote on ratification of the divisive treaty on Friday.  To make sense of the latest events in the volatile region and what Russia has to do with it, The Moscow Times has gathered all the latest news and expert commentary:  What is the treaty about?  Abkhazia’s Economic Minister Kristina Ozgan signed the investment agreement during the meeting with Russia’s Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov in Moscow last month.  Ozgan signed the treaty without the approval of Abkhazia’s parliament as required by law and despite widespread criticism of the agreement by parliamentary opposition and activists who dubbed it as harmful to the partially recognized state’s economic and security interests.