Adgur Ardzinba, one of the leaders of the so-called opposition in occupied Abkhazia, has called on the authorities of the self-proclaimed republic to postpone the discussion of all pressing issues until the upcoming so-called presidential elections. Today, November 15, the de facto parliament is set to discuss the ratification of the "investment agreement" signed with Russia, amid opposition protests.
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"We call on the government to postpone all urgent issues that divide the people and stir public unrest until the next presidential elections, which should be held in a few months.
If the government refuses to agree to this, the entire responsibility for any potential consequences in the coming days will lie entirely with the President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and his entourage.
Additionally, we urge the representatives of the law enforcement agencies to show wisdom and restraint. Do not allow the government, which serves its own purpose of personal enrichment at the expense of the people, to use you as a weapon. Your loyalty should be directed towards protecting the interests of the country and its people, not supporting a narrow group that is willing to sacrifice the common good for its own benefit," Ardzinba said in a statement.
The so-called opposition forces have planned to hold a protest rally near the de facto parliament building in Sukhumi. They are calling on the population to actively participate in the protest, as they believe the "investment agreement" threatens the country's sovereignty.
The chairman of the so-called Central Election Commission of Abkhazia, Dimitri Marchan, has called on the deputies of the de facto parliament to postpone the ratification of the agreement.
The Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Maxim Reshetnikov, and the de facto Vice Prime Minister of Abkhazia, the Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan, signed the agreement on October 30 in Moscow. If the agreement is ratified, Russian companies will be able to acquire ownership rights to land in Abkhazia. The agreement also includes various support measures for foreign investors, including multi-year tax incentives.
Furthermore, on November 11, at an extraordinary session of the de facto parliament, the draft law on the construction of multi-functional complexes, which is part of the disputed agreement, was adopted in the final reading. According to the document, "multifunctional complexes" can include sports, shopping, and entertainment facilities, but apartments or hotels are prohibited, as was previously stipulated by the "Apartments" law, which had been blocked by the Abkhazian side.
The de facto government claims that the investments will bring economic stability to Abkhazia, while opponents of the agreement argue that it is anti-national and will only benefit the oligarchs.
