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Abkhazia: Protesters storm parliament in opposition to investment deal with Russia
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The opposition to the investment deal with Russia shows a division among citizens about economic policies that are believed to serve individual interests
On Saturday, protesters in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, which is supported by Moscow, refused to leave the parliament building they had stormed on Friday, in a clear challenge to the conditions set by the region's president, Aslan Bzhania, who demanded their departure in order to submit his resignation.
The demonstrators continued their protest inside the parliament, expressing their anger over an investment agreement concluded with Russia, which they consider to serve individual interests at the expense of the region.
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According to the Russian news agency, Bzhania stated that he is ready to submit his resignation and hold early elections as soon as the building is vacated, and suggested appointing a deputy to temporarily manage the region's affairs.
Bzhania said, "When they leave the building, I will write my resignation letter, and we will see how much support they will get in the new elections," indicating his intention to run in those elections.
In an official statement, the protesters said that storming the parliament is not a rejection of Abkhazia's close relationship with Russia, but they accused Bzhania of "exploiting this relationship to achieve his personal interests and strengthen his power through policies that serve his regime."
Moscow, which is closely monitoring the situation, expressed its concern about what it described as an "escalating political crisis" and advised Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Abkhazia at the present time, pointing to the need for de-escalation in the region, which is witnessing escalating unrest.
Levant-Agencies
