Citizens of Georgian breakaway state Abkhazia storm parliament in protest of Russian deal

The citizens of a Moscow-controlled European region have occupied parliament, making one major demand.

A deal that could have spread Russia’s influence in a disputed region has seen its citizens storm parliament and demand the resignation of their de facto leader.

Abkhazia, which broke away from Georgia in a secession war in the 1990s, is recognised by most of the world as Georgian territory, but has been under de facto Russian control since a brief 2008 war between Moscow and Tbilisi.

Demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed pact that would encourage Russian investment in the region. Picture: Aiashara Independent Agency via AP.

The proposed deal with Russia could see apartment complexes mushroom in a region famed for its natural beauty and beaches, and allow Russian citizens to own property in Abkhazia, fuelling local concerns.

Russian news agencies posted videos showing hundreds of demonstrators barging into the regional parliament in the capital city of Sukhumi, where politicians had gathered to discuss ratifying the treaty.

TASS said protesters also took control of the presidential administration building, adjoining parliament.

Protesters want to oust de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania (pictured). Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP.

Moscow on Friday expressed “concern” over the protests, urged Russians not to visit Abkhazia, a traditional holiday destination for citizens, and said those there should consider leaving.

Aslan Bzhania, the country’s de facto president, has indicated that he is prepared to concede to the demonstrators renewed demands, namely in stepping aside temporarily and holding a snap election, though under conditions that the protesters who entered parliament and a presidential administration building should vacate the premises.

An earlier protest, relating to the same investment pact, about 5.5 kilometres south of Sukhumi where demonstrators blocked the way to the bridge over the Gumista River. (Information Center of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia via AP)

As reported by Reuters, the opposition allege that Mr Bzhania “has been trying to use these relations for his own selfish interests, manipulating them for the sake of strengthening his regime.”

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Abkhazia’s opposition of “provoking an escalation of the conflict,” and said the “crisis situation” was “hampering the development of Abkhazia”.

However, these haven’t been the only protests over the proposed economic deal with Moscow.

In days prior, demonstrators blocked bridges to Sukhumi in support of opposition activists who were arrested after opposing the same investment bill.

They were released the following day.

The discontent of Russian influence expanding in the region also follows Mr Bzhania’s admission of plans to build a new “permanent point of deployment” for Russian naval forces in Abkhazia’s port district of Ochamchire, which Moscow has refused to comment on, the BBC reports.

– With AFP.