Protest in Abkhazia

This article was originally published on the Echo of the Caucasus website. The text and terminology remain unchanged. All rights reserved by Echo of the Caucasus. Publication date: November 12, 2024.

All arrested Abkhaz opposition members — Aslan Gvaramia, Omar Smyr, Ramaz Djopua, Harry Kokaya, and Almaskhan Ardzinba — have been released. Their arrest the previous day sparked mass protests in Abkhazia. Demonstrators blocked access to Sukhumi, demanding the release of opponents of the government who spoke out against the Russia-Abkhazia agreement on investment projects.

The Upper Gumista, Lower Gumista, and Kodori bridges — three main transport arteries leading to Sukhumi — were all blocked by protesters during the night of November 11 to 12. They demanded the immediate release of the opposition activists who oppose the Russia-Abkhazia investment agreement.

Hours prior, an emergency session of the Abkhazian Parliament had passed a constitutional law “On Regulating the Legal Status of Multifunctional Complexes on the Territory of the Republic of Abkhazia.” This law is considered a precursor to the ratification of the Russia-Abkhazia investment agreement, which, according to protesters, undermines Abkhazia’s sovereignty.

According to the document adopted by deputies on November 11, a multifunctional complex is defined as a non-residential property, consisting exclusively of non-residential spaces with various functions. Significantly:

“A multifunctional complex cannot include (in whole or in part) an apartment or an apart-hotel,” the document states.

But many believe that the adoption of this law is a ploy to promote the investment agreement. Reports that the constitutional law on multifunctional complexes was to be approved before the ratification of the agreement began circulating in Abkhazian Telegram channels a few days before the protests.

“The goal of this manipulation is to formally disguise the investment agreement, attempting to address one of the threats still present in the agreement. However, it is clear that if the government genuinely aims to protect the interests of Abkhazian businesses and the state, one law on multifunctional complexes is not enough. It would take another hundred laws to slightly improve Abkhazia’s position in this agreement. There is a simpler solution: not to ratify this harmful agreement. <…> The threats related to land, collateral, and the transfer of objects to third parties pose a real danger to Abkhazia’s sovereignty. This is effectively a path toward permanently alienating Abkhazian lands,” wrote the Telegram channel Apsny Khabar.

The escalation of existing discontent in Abkhazian society, however, was triggered by something else—the harsh arrests of opposition figures opposing the agreement’s ratification, including Omar Smyr, Harry Kokaya, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Ramaz Djopua, and Aslan Gvaramia.

According to the pro-government Telegram channel AMRA-life, they allegedly attacked and beat deputy Almas Akaba near the parliament building.

“A group of individuals in the courtyard of the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia committed unlawful acts against a parliamentary deputy, accompanied by obscene language,” stated Prosecutor General Adgur Agrba.

Aslan Bartsyts, the leader of the opposition party Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia, described the arrests as purely political.

Footage of the scuffle with Deputy Akaba and the arrest of the opposition figures was shared by local Telegram channels. The opposition claims the arrests were not only illegal but also disproportionate to the situation: the detainees were dragged out of their car and forced face-down on the asphalt at gunpoint.

“The manner of the arrests made it seem as though they were apprehending highly dangerous criminals. If someone had simply invited them to the State Security Service for a conversation, they would have gone on their own,” Adgur Ardzinba, one opposition leader, emphasized.

Protesters have described this as the harshest arrest of political activists in Abkhazia’s modern history. The response from the opposition and the public was immediate: within minutes, hundreds had gathered outside the SSS building, demanding the activists’ release. Soon after, other demonstrators headed to Freedom Square in Sukhumi, where a new wave of protests began. According to reports, protesters outside the security agency’s headquarters “rammed the gates,” prompting the deployment of military equipment to the presidential administration building.

“The authorities’ refusal to provide explanations escalated the situation, leading to clashes with security forces and a fence being breached by a vehicle,” reported the Aishara channel.

During the night, the president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Dmitry Kuchuberia, head of the State Security Service, characterized the events as “mass riots.” However, some agreements were reached with the protesters:

“Government representatives arrived [at the Kodori Bridge] and provided guarantees that the detained political activists would be released within an hour or an hour and a half. Temporarily, the bridge blockade was lifted. If the promise is not kept, residents of the village of Adzyubzha plan to block it again,” said Adgur Ardzinba, a leader of the Abkhaz opposition.

A few hours later, the detainees were released, including former deputy Tengiz Agrba, who had been arrested two days earlier. Protesters had demanded his release along with the five opposition members.

In a national address, Aslan Bzhania urged citizens to “remain calm and not succumb to provocations.”

Despite these appeals, protests are set to continue, with a large demonstration planned for November 15, the day the investment agreement is scheduled for consideration. On October 30, Abkhazia’s Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan, signed the agreement in Moscow, which, according to protesters, was done in violation of Abkhaz law — without parliamentary approval.

Under the terms of the agreement, major Russian investors would be granted benefits, including exemptions from property and profit taxes for eight years following the commissioning of capital construction projects.

Paata Zakareishvili, a former Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality and a conflict expert, believes the sharp escalation stems from the harsh arrests of protesters opposing “yet another attempt by Russia to tighten its grip on Abkhazia’s economy.”

“Any Russian oligarch who invests two billion rubles into Abkhazia’s economy will essentially gain unlimited rights over Abkhazian territory. They will receive long-term privileges, including tax exemptions, the ability to demand government compliance in protecting their business, and support for infrastructure. This does not apply at all to Abkhaz entrepreneurs. <…> Thus, through a series of legislative acts, the Abkhaz public believes that Abkhazia’s economy will be dismantled, leaving only the Russian economy in its place. This is one method of Russia’s annexation of Abkhazia,” the conflict expert told Echo of the Caucasus.

Zakareishvili also highlighted the silence of Georgian authorities on this issue. In his opinion, this reinforces suspicions that Tbilisi will not intervene as Moscow continues to strengthen its control over Abkhazia.

“For me, this is one of the arguments that Georgia is surrendering Abkhazia to Russia. Personally, that’s how it seems to me. There is a view that Russia will allow Georgia to take Abkhazia back, but I think otherwise. I believe all these consolidations of power in Georgia are happening precisely to ultimately hand Abkhazia over. All of this is being done to enable Russia to fully absorb Abkhazia — economically, politically, socially, and in every other way — and then make its annexation easier.”

But Zakareishvili believes the Abkhaz people will resist. He pointed out that in Abkhazia, those in power are often forced to step down under public pressure and protests. But the fact that the Abkhaz managed this time to paralyze all of Sukhumi in such an organized manner, blocking entry points from both the east and west, is particularly impressive, especially compared to the situation in Tbilisi, he said.

“In Abkhazia, there’s a clearer understanding of how to engage with authorities that do not act in accordance with public expectations. It’s evident that Abkhaz society is resisting both its own government and Russian expansion and annexation. Personally, I’m impressed by their energy, their process, and their commitment to defending their rights. How effective it will be is another question. But the fact that the people are not standing aside and are striving to achieve their goals peacefully — let me emphasize, peacefully — is certainly inspiring.”