Protesters storm Parliament Square in Abkhazia investment clash
In the capital of Abkhazia, protesters stormed the square in front of the parliament. Earlier, they broke through the gate with a truck. Today, in Sukhumi, 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 opposition in Abkhazia.
The deputies did not address the bill due to a lack of quorum (only 21 of the 35 deputies attended the session of the Abkhazian parliament). However, the residents demanded the complete removal of the agreement from the agenda and its return for amendments.
Protesters breached the gate in front of the parliament with a truck, and the crowd stormed the square. Clashes with the police are ongoing. According to media reports, shots were fired, and the police are using smoke bombs.
According to TASS, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the head of security services in Abkhazia have come out to negotiate with the protesters.
What is the cause of the conflict?
This spring, the authorities of Abkhazia tried to introduce a law concerning Russian investments. This met with public outrage, and the President of the Republic, Aslan Bzhania, withdrew the project.
The opposition currently accuses the authorities of attempting to push the bill again under the pretext of the so-called "interdepartmental agreement with Russia on the investment activities of legal entities in the territory of Abkhazia."
According to opposition members, this agreement is a form of lobbying for the interests of structures associated with Alexander Tkachev. These structures are building a massive tourist complex in the Gagra region and trying to obtain exemptions from local taxes, duties, and other charges.
Why do residents oppose the construction?
The Abkhazian opposition and many residents first demand the organization of laws regarding the land registry. Currently, the public register of land and buildings is chaotic.
Local communities fear that a rapid increase in uncontrolled housing development will turn the region into a less desirable version of Sochi, raise housing prices, and make it difficult for Abkhazians to compete with wealthier residents of large Russian cities.
There are also concerns that Georgians with Russian passports will start buying real estate in Abkhazia, including those who fought against Abkhazia in 1992–1993. They fear this could lead to demographic changes and new conflicts.
Protests in pro-Russian Abkhazia
An additional problem is infrastructure and public services—water and electricity supplies are not adequately adapted to handle such enormous demands. For example, last winter, planned power outages lasted from 4 to 8 hours a day.
Previously, tensions in the region increased after local security services detained five opposition members.
Since 1992, Abkhazia has remained outside the authority of the Georgian government. The separatist government of Abkhazia considers it an independent state; the unilateral declaration of independence occurred in 1992. Only a few countries recognize its independence, including Russia, which recognized it in 2008 after a brief war with Georgia.
