Tensions have risen over the past week over a proposed deal that would allow Russians to buy property in Abkhazia.
Protesters opposing a proposed measure that would allow Russians to buy property in the Georgian territory of Abkhazia broke into the secessionist region's parliament building and clashed with police.
Parliament in the regional capital of Sukhumi was due to discuss ratifying the measure on Friday but postponed the session as protesters gathered outside the gates of the government complex that includes the legislature building and the presidential office.
Protesters used a truck to break down the metal gates surrounding parliament. Video from the scene appeared to show people climbing through windows after removing metal bars and chanting in the hallways.
Emergency services said at least eight people were taken to hospital.
Eshsou Kakalia, opposition leader and former deputy attorney general, said the parliament building was under the control of protesters.
“Now we will seek the resignation of the current president of Abkhazia,” he said, quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax. Protesters also broke into the presidential administration offices located in the same building as parliament.
The presidential administration said in a statement that authorities were preparing to withdraw the investment agreement with Russia because some Abkhazians fear it will lock them out of the real estate market. Abkhazia is a popular tourist destination for Russians.
Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory in a brief war with Russia in 2008.
While most countries recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia, Russia recognizes it as independent. However, many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 people is a client state of Moscow.
investment agreement
On Friday, Abkhaz lawmakers were due to vote on ratifying an investment deal signed in October in Moscow by Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and his Abkhaz counterpart Kristina Ozgan.
Abkhazian opposition leaders say the deal with Moscow, which would allow investment projects by Russian legal entities, would exclude locals from the real estate market by allowing in much more Russian money.
The opposition said in a statement that the protesters' actions were not against Russian-Abkhazian relations.
“Abkhazian society had only one demand: to protect the interests of our citizens and our companies, but neither the president nor the parliament have listened to the voice of the people until today,” Interfax quotes the statement.
Earlier this week, Abkhazia's self-proclaimed president, Aslan Bzhania, held an emergency security council meeting after protesters blocked a key highway and demonstrated in central Sukhumi to demand the release of four activists.
The activists, who were later released, had been detained for opposing the approval of a law regulating the construction industry and making reference to the Russian-Abkhazian agreement.
In 2014, protesters broke into the presidential headquarters and forced then-leader Alexander Ankvab to flee. He later resigned over accusations of corruption and misgovernance.
Opposition leader Raúl Khadzhimba, elected after the 2014 riots, was forced to resign in 2020 following street protests against disputed election results.
