Georgian Protesters Storm Parliament in Abkhazia

Protesters in the Republic of Georgia’s Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Abkhazia stormed their local parliament on Friday. The opposition-led protesters were angered over a real-estate investment deal with Russia that could tighten Moscow’s control over the region.

In the capital Sukhumi, protesters used a truck to break through the metal gates around parliament. People pried metal bars off windows, then climbed through and began storming the building.

https://twitter.com/Sadiaataha/status/1857415634235060558

Protesters also broke into presidential administration offices located in the same building. At least nine people were taken to the hospital, according to emergency services.

The protesters first demanded the investment deal be scrapped; later, they demanded the ouster of parliament’s leader, Aslan Bzhania. Amid the unrest, the president released a statement saying parliament would withdraw from the draft law to “stabilize the situation in the republic.”

Hostage to Moscow: In 2008, Russia violently invaded and occupied about a fifth of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory. While Russia recognized Abkhazia as an independent state, it still maintains troop bases in the region and supports it economically.

The current crisis is a culmination of Russian pressure to get more from Abkhazia in return for its financial support, while many Georgians feel deep hostility toward Russia.

Every single Abkhaz leader after they got recognized by Moscow became sort of a hostage to Moscow. When you come to power, you have to be loyal to Moscow and then you have to find a way to cooperate.
—Olesya Vartanyan, independent regional expert in Abkhazia

Restoring the Soviet empire: Even though the protests may have achieved the withdrawal of the deal, they will likely not change much in the long term. Russia’s grip on the country is tightening as seen by the recent election stolen by the ruling pro-Russian party, as well as a new law that was passed to shut down political opposition to Russia.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has long warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin mourns the demise of the Soviet Union and longs to bring Georgia and other former Soviet states back into a renewed, imperial Russia.

To learn about Putin’s ambitions and his role in prophecy, order a free copy of Mr. Flurry’s booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia.’