Protesters refuse to cede control of government buildings in Georgian province

Tensions flared over a proposed pact that would allow Russians to buy apartments in the region (AIASHARA Independent Agency via AP)

Opposition protesters in Georgia’s breakaway province of Abkhazia have refused to cede control of key government buildings that demonstrators stormed to protest new measures allowing Russians to buy property in the area.

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania announced that he would step down and hold early elections if demonstrators vacated the region’s parliament building.