"Down with the Deserter!" Protesters Demand Bzhania's Resignation

Abkhazia has been gripped by intense political turmoil in recent days. Mass protests erupted following the government’s push to ratify a controversial "investment agreement" with Russia, sparking widespread public outrage. Tensions escalated further with the detention of opposition activists, eventually leading to protesters storming government buildings in Sukhum. The crisis has now culminated in calls for President Aslan Bzhania’s resignation, with the country’s future hanging in the balance.

This article, originally written in Russian by journalist Izida Chania, offers a detailed account of these unfolding events. It has been translated into English for AbkhazWorld.com readers. For real-time updates and further insights, follow AbkhazWorld on X (Twitter) and Facebook. Stay informed as this critical story develops.

"Down with the Deserter!" Protesters Demand Bzhania's Resignation

The week in which the Abkhazian Parliament planned to discuss the ratification of the controversial Russian-Abkhazian agreement concluded with the ousting of Aslan Bzhania and his government. But let us recount the events step by step.

The dramatic events of 15 November were preceded by the unlawful detention of active opponents of the agreement, signed in violation of procedures by the Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan. During the night of 12-13 November, public outrage over not only the detentions themselves but also their manner and the lack of justification for such actions, led to the blockage of bridges leading into Sukhum. This resulted in multi-kilometre traffic jams, which security forces twice attempted, unsuccessfully, to break through. The authorities eventually retreated, releasing all detainees from custody.

On the eve of the session, 15 November, meetings between voters and deputies were held in Sukhum, Gudauta, and New Athos. However, few deputies had the courage to face their constituents, primarily those who had already publicly voiced their fundamental opposition to the agreement proposed by the president for ratification. The majority of deputies did not attend these meetings. Some cited car accidents, others claimed illness, and a few even left the country. Most simply ignored their voters.

Former Ombudswoman Asida Shakryl declared that deputies who failed to meet with their constituents had lost their legitimacy. She called on the citizens of Abkhazia to gather in front of Parliament on 15 November to demonstrate their rejection of government policies that she argued are leading to the destruction of the country.

On the morning of 15 November, Adgur Ardzinba, leader of the opposition movement AND, addressed the citizens of Abkhazia. He criticised the government’s actions as inadequate and called for postponing all divisive issues that deepen societal divisions until after the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled in a few months. Ardzinba placed full responsibility for the unfolding crisis on President Aslan Bzhania and his entourage.

In his statement, Ardzinba also appealed to the security forces, urging them to act with wisdom and restraint and not allow themselves to be "used as instruments." He reminded them: "Remember, your oath was not to the president, not to Aslan Bzhania or his oligarchs, but to our Motherland. Your loyalty must be directed toward protecting the interests of the country and its people, not serving a narrow group willing to sacrifice the common good for their own gain."

War veteran Ilya Gunia drew a striking parallel between the current events and the start of the Georgian-Abkhazian war [of 1992-93]. "During the war, the question was about the physical destruction of Abkhazia. Now, the question is about its economic destruction," he said.

Even Dmitry Marshan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, joined the calls to postpone the ratification of the investment agreement. He urged for it to be thoroughly revised to ensure it is based on equal and mutually beneficial terms.

However, the authorities ignored these appeals. During a broadcast on AbazaTV, President Bzhania declared he had no intention of listening to the opinions of the opposition or the elders, further escalating tensions. Simultaneously, he distanced himself from responsibility for the illegal detentions of opposition members, shifting the blame onto the Minister of Internal Affairs. His remarks regarding the detentions at the state border were equally peculiar, as he placed responsibility on Russian border guards.

On the night of 15 November, a group of parliamentarians was housed in a hotel in Sukhum, with security stationed around the premises. In another hotel, members of Aslan Bzhania’s security forces, brought in from other regions, were "resting" ahead of the anticipated confrontation. Meanwhile, the area surrounding the Presidential Administration, Parliament, and Government buildings was fortified with rows of police cars, buses, Urals, KamAZ trucks, and armoured vehicles. Throughout the night, patrol cars roamed the capital, reportedly searching for "extremists."

By morning, the capital of Abkhazia resembled a city under military rule. Armoured vehicles, armed security personnel, soldiers, and emergency services filled the streets. Roads leading to and from the government complex were blocked, and entrances to the Parliament and Presidential Administration were barricaded with KamAZ trucks. Abkhazian journalists were denied access to the parliamentary session, with security citing orders from Dmitry Dbar, the head of the Presidential Security Service.

Before the session began, protesters demanded the Parliament reject the ratification of the controversial agreement. However, the Parliament decided to postpone the session, raising concerns among the demonstrators, who remembered past legislative tactics, including night sessions. Deputies ignored demands to hold a session and reject the agreement. After hours of waiting, the crowd began chanting "Down with the deserter!" and called for Bzhania’s resignation.

Using KamAZ trucks parked near the fence, protesters broke through in several places and entered the government complex. They proceeded into the Parliament and Presidential Administration buildings, which were empty, neither the president, the government, nor the deputies were present. Security forces did not interfere with the protesters. Demonstrators reiterated their single demand: the resignation of President Bzhania.

"Do not stain their blood (of the fallen) with your decisions, stop this!" — an appeal to the deputies.

At this point, the Presidential Press Service issued a statement, which many found farcical. It announced that a document was being prepared to withdraw the controversial agreement from Parliament.

Currently, negotiations are taking place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs between opposition representatives and parliamentarians. An extraordinary session is expected to decide on the president’s resignation. The whereabouts of both the president and the government remain unknown. Meanwhile, security officers stationed at the government complex have been reassigned to the State Security Service.