President of Abkhazia Refuses to Step Down After Parliament Stormed Over Deal with Russians

abkhazia, georgia - Demonstrators in Abkhazia demand president's resignation following unrest over economic agreement with Russia

The president of Abkhazia, a breakaway region in Georgia, is refusing to step down after protesters stormed the parliament and a presidential building earlier in the day to demand his resignation over an economic deal with Russia. President Aslan Bzhania stated on Telegram that he and other government officials will remain in office and continue their work. "I urge you not to panic. I will stay in Abkhazia and carry on with my duties as I have always done," the president said, adding that talks with the opposition are ongoing. Representatives were set to ratify the agreement with Russia on Friday, but the session was postponed due to the unrest. Protesters and opposition fear that Russian influence is becoming too significant.

Abkhazia is located on the Black Sea in the northwest of Georgia, bordered by the Caucasus Mountains with Russia. Operating as an independent state since 1993, Abkhazia has been recognized for its independence by only a few countries, including Russia.