Protest Erupts Over Moscow Investment Deal in Abkhazia

Protesters gathered outside parliament in Abkhazia against a Russian investment agreement. Tensions rose as demonstrators attempted to breach the parliament gates. The agreement, ratified by Russia's Economy Minister and Abkhazia's counterpart, faces opposition due to concerns over economic sovereignty. A parliamentary vote was postponed amid the protests.

Crowds of protesters rallied outside the parliament on Friday in the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, decrying a recent investment agreement with Moscow, according to Russia's TASS news agency.

Footage from TASS showed a truck colliding with the gates of the parliament in the capital Sukhumi, as crowds surged into the courtyard. Other videos on local Telegram channels displayed protesters attempting to dismantle the gates with ropes.

Estimates from TASS suggest several hundred people attended the rally, though Reuters could not verify these numbers. Russia recognized Abkhazia as an independent state in 2008, but the international community largely considers it part of Georgia, from which it declared independence in the 1990s.

Abkhazian legislators were supposed to vote Friday on a contentious investment agreement signed by Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Abkhazia's Kristina Ozgan. Opposition leaders argue this agreement could compromise Abkhazia's economic sovereignty by allowing Russian investment projects.

TASS reported the parliamentary vote was canceled. Earlier, Abkhazia's self-proclaimed president, Aslan Bzhania, convened an emergency security council meeting after protesters blocked a major highway and rallied in central Sukhumi demanding the release of four activists, who were later freed after detention related to a construction industry law linked to the Russian-Abkhazian agreement.

(With inputs from agencies.)