Abkhazia’s separatist president refuses to resign amid violent protests against investment agreement with Russia

Aslan Bzhania, the president of Georgia’s Russian-backed separatist region of Abkhazia, rejected protesters’ demands that he step down. On Friday, he announced that he, the vice president, the prime minister, and other government officials “remain in Abkhazia and will continue to work.”

In response, demonstrators issued an ultimatum, telling Bzhania he had just an hour to resign. “If he doesn’t leave, we’ll go in there after him,” opposition representative Levan Mikaa warned.

Shortly afterward, opposition deputy Kan Kvarchia said protesters had ceased all negotiations with the authorities and now intend to “build up strength,” without clarifying what this means.

A proposed investment agreement with Russia has provoked public outrage in Abkhazia. Opponents argue that the deal would unfairly favor Russian business interests. Amid intense protests against the authorities pursuing the agreement, opposition spokespeople have stressed that the demonstrations are not directed at Abkhazia’s relationship with Moscow itself.

More than a dozen people were injured in clashes outside Abkhazia’s parliament building on Friday, November 15. In response, the Abkhaz authorities promised to withdraw the draft investment agreement from parliament.