SUKHUM, November 12. /TASS/. Abkhazia's President Aslan Bzhania held an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council after supporters of detained opposition figures blocked bridges on the central highway, demanding their release, the presidential press service reported.
Detention of opposition figures
- According to Abkhazia's Prosecutor General, Adgur Agrba, after an extraordinary session of parliament, where a bill regulating the legal status of multifunctional complexes was discussed, several individuals engaged in illegal actions against a lawmaker.
- The prosecutor general stated that following the incident, four Abkhazian residents were detained: Garry Kokaya, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Omar Smur, and Ramaz Dzhopya.
- Agrba added that "relatives of the detainees and representatives of opposition forces attempted to force their way into the State Security Service building and demanded the immediate release of the detainees." "Their attempt was thwarted by law enforcement officers," he said.
Opposition's view
- According to the opposition, a total of five activists have been arrested.
- They believe the arrests are nothing more than "political persecution."
- The opposition is demanding the release of all detainees.
Rally in Sukhum
- Following the arrest of five opposition figures, their supporters blocked two bridges leading to Abkhazia's capital, Sukhum.
- A rally is also being held in the capital.
Authorities’ reaction
- Abkhazia's President Aslan Bzhania convened an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council.
- Prosecutor General Adgur Agrba urged "restraint from further unlawful actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in the republic."
Bill on status of multifunctional complex
- Abkhazian lawmakers at an extraordinary session passed a bill regulating the status of multifunctional complexes in the republic.
- The president signed the bill into law.
- Earlier, lawmakers recommended bringing a bill on the ratification of the interparliamentary agreement with Russia to the ordinary session of parliament, which would allow Russian entities to participate in investment projects in Abkhazia.
- However, before considering the ratification of this agreement, lawmakers decided to first define the legal status of a 'multifunctional complex' in the republic's legal system, excluding apartment buildings from this classification.
About investment agreement
- On October 30, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Abkhazian Prime Minister Kristina Ozgan signed an agreement allowing Russian entities to implement investment projects in Abkhazia.
- One of the opposition leaders, Adgur Ardzimba, stated that Abkhazia already has a law on investment, adopted in 2014.
- According to him, the new agreement is a covert attempt to legalize the sale of apartments.
- On November 5, public organizations critical of the current authorities of the republic established a headquarters in Sukhumi to challenge the ratification of the agreement, deeming it harmful to Abkhazia's economic sovereignty.