Protests in Abkhazia over deal with Russia: Abkhaz leader Bzhania says he is ready to step down
Kyiv • UNN
Aslan Bzhania said he was ready to resign after protesters vacated government buildings. The protests erupted over an investment agreement with russia that was due to be ratified.
The head of self-proclaimed Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania said that he is ready to resign when protesters against the investment agreement with Russia leave government buildings, after the day before protesters tore down the fence outside the parliament, entered its territory and stormed the building where Bzhania's administration is located. He said this at a meeting with local residents in the village of Tamyshe, reports Ekho Kavkaza, writes UNN.
Details
"Those who seized (the buildings), those who tried to complete the coup d'état must vacate the complex of buildings, after which I am ready to call elections, ready to resign and go to the polls. The vice president will run the country. And let the people say who they support. Let the truth be the result of the will," Bzhania said.
Supplement
In Sukhumi on November 15, protesters protesting against the Russian-Abkhazian "investment agreement" tore down part of the fence around the complex of government buildings and entered the territory adjacent to the parliament building and then inside the parliament and the presidential administration. The protesters threw eggs and bottles at police officers, who used smoke bombs, but did not offer serious resistance. Thirteen people were injured during the protest, three of them required hospitalization, their lives are not in danger. Gunshots were also heard outside the parliament.
Against the backdrop of the protest, parliament canceled the session that was to vote on the ratification of the investment agreement with moscow, and the presidential administration promised to withdraw it. However, on November 16, it became known that Bzhania had not signed the document on the withdrawal of the agreement on Russian investments from parliament.
According to the draft investment agreement between Sukhumi and Moscow, Russian companies can implement their investment projects on the territory of the unrecognized republic. The parties signed it at the end of October 2024. To enter into force, the document must be ratified.
