Protesters have stormed the regional parliament in Abkhazia, forcing the government to halt an investment deal with Russia that some fear will spoil the breakaway Georgian region’s natural beauty.
The Black Sea separatist region is backed by Moscow but recognised as part of Georgia by most of the world. It has been thrust into turmoil over concerns that a proposed investment deal with Russia could lead to apartment complexes mushrooming in a region known for its natural beauty and beaches.
Russian news agencies posted videos showing hundreds of demonstrators barging into the regional parliament on Friday, where lawmakers had gathered to discuss ratifying the treaty. The state-run Tass news agency said protesters also took control of the presidential administration building, adjoining parliament.
Amid the unrest, the president of Abkhazia announced plans to halt the treaty. “The presidential administration is preparing a document to withdraw from parliament the draft law [on ratification],” its press service said on Telegram. “The decision has been taken with the goal of stabilising the situation in the republic.”
Police had earlier fired teargas at protesters, who had rammed through the gates of the parliament complex using a truck and threw eggs and plastic bottles at the police, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Moscow on Friday expressed “concern” over the protests, urged Russians not to visit Abkhazia and said those there should consider leaving.
The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Abkhazia’s opposition of “provoking an escalation of the conflict” and said the “crisis situation” was “hampering the development of Abkhazia”.
After a short war with Georgia in 2008, Russia recognised both Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries and has maintained a military presence there. Local concerns run high over construction and foreign land ownership in the region, which has a population of about 240,000.
The region’s parliament earlier this year dropped a bill, after public outcry, that would have partially reversed an official ban on non-residents building and buying property.
Protesters had earlier this week blocked roads and bridges in Abkhazia after authorities briefly detained opposition activists opposing the deal with Russia.
The Georgian government in Tbilisi has not commented on the protests.