Protests erupt in Abkhazia, Russian-occupied Georgian region, over new "deal" with Russia

Clashes erupted in Sukhumi, the central city of occupied Georgian Abkhazia, during a protest against an "investment agreement" with Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing Georgian news outlet SOVA and Ekho Kavkaza (Echo of the Caucasus), a Radio Liberty project

Details: The rally near the local "parliament" was held in protest against the "investment agreement", which dissatisfied protesters consider to be beneficial only to Moscow.

The "parliament" decided to delay consideration of the project, while protesters vowed to stay and called for a vote to reject the agreement. The demonstration began to escalate into clashes.

Protesters reportedly rammed a section of the fence with a car and entered the area adjacent to the "parliament". Eggs and bottles were thrown at security forces, and a police car intended to block the passage was also obstructed. Tear gas was deployed against the protesters.

The protesters reportedly surrounded the key buildings of the de facto authorities in the region, prompting the heads of the local "Ministry of Internal Affairs" and "State Security Service" to come out and negotiate with them.

Telegram channels claimed that "shots" had been fired near the parliament, although the authenticity of these reports remains unclear.

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