Protesters In Abkhazia Storm Parliament, Demand President's Resignation

Tbilisi, Georgia - January 9, 2023

Protesters in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia stormed the parliament building on Monday, demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania. The protesters, who included opposition politicians and civil society activists, broke through police cordons and entered the parliament chamber, where they briefly took control of the podium before being dispersed by security forces.

The protest was sparked by a controversial decision by Bzhania to pardon a former security chief who was convicted of murder. The protesters accuse Bzhania of corruption and nepotism and say he has failed to address the economic and social problems facing the region.

Background to the Protests

Abkhazia is a breakaway republic that declared independence from Georgia in 1993 following a war that killed thousands of people. The region is not recognized by any other country and is considered by Georgia to be a separatist territory.

Bzhania was elected president in 2020 in an election that was widely criticized as unfair. His presidency has been marked by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.

The Storming of the Parliament

The protesters gathered outside the parliament building in the capital, Sukhumi, on Monday morning and demanded that Bzhania resign. When the authorities refused, the protesters stormed the building, breaking through police cordons and entering the parliament chamber.

The protesters briefly took control of the podium and gave speeches denouncing Bzhania and demanding his resignation. However, they were soon dispersed by security forces, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the chamber.

Reactions to the Storming of the Parliament

The storming of the parliament has been condemned by both the Georgian government and the Russian government. The Georgian government has called for calm and urged the protesters to respect the rule of law.

The Russian government, which has close ties to Abkhazia, has also condemned the storming of the parliament and called for stability in the region.

Conclusion

The storming of the parliament in Abkhazia is a sign of the growing discontent with President Bzhania's rule. The protesters' demands for his resignation are likely to continue, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to weather the storm.