In Russian protege Abkhazia, a cautionary tale for Crimea

CHUBURKHINJI Abkhazia (Reuters) - Trudging over a bridge hundreds of metres long, English teacher Natia Ablotia struggles home in the blazing heat, laden with goods that are cheaper to buy across the river in Georgia than in Abkhazia, where she lives.

After nearly six years as effectively a protectorate of Russia, life is still tough for many in the breakaway Georgian region. Last week, in a spasm of frustration over corruption and poor living conditions, protesters stormed the president's headquarters, forcing him to flee and then resign.