Protesters against the government attacked the parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia

According to RCO News Agency, hundreds of demonstrators opposed to holding a demonstration in front of the Parliament building of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia in the city of “Sukhumi”, the center of this republic, asked the representatives of this parliament to cancel an investment agreement with Russia and prevent its approval.

The published images of this demonstration show that some demonstrators tried to attack the parliament and passed the barrier of the security checkpoint officers and threw stones and other objects at the police officers.

These opposition protests were keyed after the government of this republic approved the approval of a controversial agreement with Moscow on investment. Critics of the agreement claim that with its approval, the domestic tourism industry will face significant and discriminatory restrictions, and instead, Russian companies will gain unfair advantages.

Abkhazia Parliament lawmakers were supposed to vote on this document today (Friday) in order to approve it, but this vote was canceled after the lawmakers did not approve the agenda for the day. “Lasha Ashoba”, the speaker of the Parliament of Abkhazia, said that the cause of this incident was “unprecedented pressure on the representatives”.

Abkhazia separated from Georgia after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. In early 2008, following Georgia’s war against this separatist republic, Russia sent its forces to this republic and recognized the independence of Abkhazia from Georgia.

Various videos of today’s opposition demonstrations in front of the Parliament of Abkhazia have been published, showing that the crowd of restless protesters has formed a dense gathering behind the fence around the parliament building, and the police officers guarding behind this fence are trying to push them back.

There were reports of clashes between police officers and demonstrators, and in some videos, demonstrators used incendiary materials.

The Ministry of Health of this Republic announced that eight people were injured during these riots and were taken to the hospital. 2 members of the opposition were allowed to enter the parliament building in order to negotiate with the representatives.

The Georgian opposition stated in a statement that the purpose of these protests was not to weaken relations with Russia, but to protect the interests and natural resources of Abkhazia.

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