SUKHUM, November 18. /TASS/. The actions of opposition representatives in Abkhazia point to an attempt to seize and retain power, Justice Minister Anri Bartsits asserted.

"By all appearances, this was an attempt at an anti-constitutional coup. There are all the signs of an attempt to seize and maintain power," he said in an interview with AGTRK.

Bartsits also highlighted that the initial demands of the opposition regarding the ratification of the agreement with Russia on investment projects by Russian legal entities in the republic were largely addressed, as the session considering this issue was not held. "The deputies did not vote on the agenda, so the issue was effectively withdrawn," he explained.

Additionally, the minister emphasized that President Aslan Bzhania had already proposed a perfectly legal solution to resolve the current political crisis.

Situation in Abkhazia

On November 15, Abkhazia’s parliament was scheduled to consider ratifying the agreement with Russia on investment projects by Russian legal entities in the republic. The opposition organized a protest rally and urged the residents of Abkhazia to participate, seeing the agreement as a threat to the country's economic sovereignty.

The parliament canceled the session because the deputies failed to approve the agenda. The opposition objected and demanded that the parliament be reconvened to address the matter comprehensively.

Later, the opposition called for the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania. He, in turn, vowed to continue his work and urged citizens not to succumb to provocations.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would not interfere in Abkhazia's internal matters. Moscow expects the situation to be resolved exclusively through peaceful political means, she added. Russian Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev told TASS that Russia supports constitutional principles in the friendly republic. At the same time, he stressed that Russia has never supported overthrows.