TASS FACTBOX. On December 3, 2024, members of the Abkhazian parliament voted against the ratification of the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental agreement that would have allowed Russian companies to implement investment projects in Abkhazia. Here are the key facts about the situation in the country.
About Russian-Abkhaz investment agreement
On October 30, Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov and Abkhazia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy Kristina Ozgan signed an agreement that would have authorized Russian companies to carry out investment projects in Abkhazia.
The parties stated that the agreement would attract additional investments into the economy of Abkhazia, promote the development of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, health spas and other projects. The document also contained provisions on the development of related infrastructure.
However, the Abkhazian opposition said that the agreement would enable Russian businessmen to build apartments in Abkhazia under the guise of multifunctional complexes, which would lead to an increase in housing prices and hurt local businesses. Representatives of the opposition demanded that the document’s ratification be postponed until the presidential elections, which were to be held in Abkhazia in the spring of 2025. On November 5, the opposition was formed in Sukhum to prevent the ratification of the Russian-Abkhazian agreement.
Law on the legal status of multifunctional complexes
On November 8, Abkhazian lawmakers floated the idea of a bill on the ratification of the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental agreement that would have allowed Russian companies to implement investment projects in Abkhazia.
However, before considering the ratification of this agreement, lawmakers decided to first define the term "multifunctional complex" in the republic's legal system, excluding apartment buildings from this classification. The law also prohibited the conversion of complexes and their premises into residential buildings, apartment buildings, residential houses and residential premises.
On November 11, Abkhazia's parliament adopted a law on the legal status of multifunctional complexes. The bill was signed into law by the country's President Aslan Bzhania.
Protests on November 11-12
On November 11, the Abkhazian parliament was expected to consider the law on the legal status of multifunctional complexes. Opposition representatives began protest actions during the assembly. Abkhazia's Prosecutor General Adgur Agrba reported that several individuals "engaged in illegal actions" against a lawmaker near the parliament building and that five people were detained as a result. Leader of the opposition party Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia Aslan Bartsits called the actions of security officers "persecution for political reasons".
Late on November 11, relatives and supporters of detained opposition figures gathered near the buildings of the Interior Ministry and the State Security Service (SGB) demanding their immediate release. The protesters even attempted to force their way into the State Security Service building. Subsequently, they blocked the Upper and Lower Gumista bridges over the Gumista River, as well as the Kodori Bridge that lead to Abkhazia’s capital. The blockade of the Kodori bridge was lifted in the afternoon of November 12. The two bridges over the Gumista remained blocked until the evening of November 12, when all five detained opposition figures were released.
Events of November 15
On November 15, the Parliament of Abkhazia was supposed to discuss the ratification of the agreement with Russia regarding the implementation of investment projects in Abkhazia by Russian legal entities. The opposition announced the beginning of a large-scale protest action in front of the parliament building and called on residents of Abkhazia to take an active part in it.
Against the background of unrest, the session was cancelled, officially because the lawmakers were unable to approve the agenda. The opposition demanded another parliamentary meeting to have this issue removed entirely. Later, it demanded that President Bzhania resign.
According to estimates from the opposition, about 2,500 people came out to protest, but the official authorities reported about several hundred protesters. The opposition managed to take control of the entire complex of government buildings in Sukhum. During the riots 14 people were injured, three of them were hospitalized.
On the same day, November 15, the presidential administration decided to withdraw the bill on ratification of the agreement with Russia from the parliament in order to stabilize the situation in the republic, and the corresponding document was prepared.
In turn, representatives of the opposition and public organizations conveyed a message circulated by the Respublika Telegram channel, in which they stated that their actions were not aimed at Russian-Abkhazian relations, but only to defend national interests and advocate for a policy of preserving Abkhazia's natural resources.
Later, the opposition leaders announced the creation of a coordinating council to overcome the political crisis and begin negotiations with the authorities. The main demand of the protesters was the resignation of Abkhazia's president Aslan Bzhania.
Speaking in front of his supporters at the building of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry in the evening of November 15, President Aslan Bzhania said he had no intention of leaving office. In addition, the press service of the president reported that Bzhania did not sign the document on withdrawal of the investment agreement from the parliament.
Later, the protesters issued an ultimatum to the head of state, demanding that he resign within an hour. After that Bzhania left the capital of Abkhazia and went to his native village of Tamysh. Those representatives of the opposition who took control of the complex of government buildings said that they had stopped negotiations with the authorities of the republic and intended to build up their forces.
Agreement between the opposition and the authorities
The negotiations started on the evening of November 18, with parliament mediation, at the Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia.
The authorities were represented by Vice President Badra Gunba, Parliament Speaker Lasha Ashuba, Head of the State Customs Committee Ostar Khetsiya and public figure David Piliya. The opposition was represented by Chairman of the Abkhazian Popular Movement Adgur Ardzinba, lawmaker Kan Kvarchiya and Head of the Committee on protection of sovereignty Levan Mikaa.
As a result of the negotiations an agreement was signed, according to which Aslan Bzhania resigned "in order to preserve stability and constitutional order in the country."
On November 19, the protesters left the government buildings complex. On the same day, members of parliament accepted Bzhania's resignation, and Vice President Badra Gunba was appointed the Interim President of Abkhazia. On November 20, Gunba dismissed Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab, appointing former Prime Minister Valery Bganba in his stead.
On November 28, members of the Abkhazian parliament adopted a resolution on setting an early presidential election for February 15, 2025.