Protests erupt in Abkhazia over controversial Russian agreement
In the capital of Abkhazia, protesters stormed the square in front of the parliament. Earlier, they forced open the gate using a lorry. Today in Sukhumi, the deputies did not approve the agenda and postponed the consideration of the issue of ratifying the investment agreement with Russia—a law opposed by many residents and the Abkhazian opposition. Two people were killed in the clashes.
The deputies did not address the law due to a lack of quorum, as only 21 out of 35 MPs attended the Abkhazian parliament session. However, the gathered residents demand the agreement's complete withdrawal from the agenda and its referral for amendments.
Protesters used a lorry to breach the gate before the parliament, and the crowd surged into the square. Clashes with the police are ongoing. According to media reports, shots have been fired, and the police are using smoke bombs.
As reported by TASS, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the head of the Abkhazian security services have come out to negotiate with the protesters.
Medical services report that two people were killed as a result of the clashes.
What is the cause of the conflict?
This spring, the authorities of Abkhazia attempted to introduce legislation regarding Russian investments. This met with public outrage, and the republic's president, Aslan Bzhania, withdrew the project.
However, the opposition accuses the authorities of attempting to pass this legislation again under the pretext of a so-called "inter-ministerial agreement with Russia on the investment activities of legal entities in the territory of Abkhazia."
According to the opposition, this agreement is a form of lobbying for the interests of structures connected with Alexander Tkachev. These structures are building a vast tourist complex in the Gagra region and seeking exemptions from local taxes, duties, and other charges.
Why do residents oppose the construction?
The Abkhazian opposition and many residents demand that cadastral property law be regulated first. Currently, the public land and buildings register is chaotic.
Local communities are worried that the rapid growth of uncontrolled residential construction will turn the region into a worse version of Sochi, increase housing prices, and leave Abkhazians unable to compete with wealthier residents of large Russian cities.
There are also concerns that Georgians with Russian passports will start buying properties in Abkhazia, including those who fought against Abkhazia in 1992–1993. They fear all this may lead to demographic changes and new conflicts.
Protests in pro-Russian Abkhazia
An additional problem is the infrastructure and public services—the water and electricity supply is absolutely unprepared for such large loads. For example, last winter, planned power outages lasted 4 to 8 hours each day.
Earlier, tensions in the region rose after the local security services detained five opposition members.
Since 1992, Abkhazia has remained beyond the control of Georgian authorities. The separatist government of Abkhazia claims it is an independent state; the unilateral declaration of independence took place in 1992. Its independence is recognised by only a few countries, including Russia, which recognised it in 2008 following a brief war with Georgia.
