The opposition besieged the lawmakers gathered in Sokhumi, demanding they vote against the controversial agreement with Moscow, which would give preferential treatment to Russian property developers.

The tensions have been mounting in the occupied region. There was a clash between the employees of the so-called law enforcement agencies and the participants of the rally.

According to the Telegram channel “D News Abkhazia”, tear gas was used against the participants.

For the context, acording to the draft of the agreement, signed on October 30 and to be endorsed by lawmakers on November 15, the Russian legal entities in Abkhazia would receive the right to own property and land, as well as highly preferential treatment, including most customs duties related to investment, corporate property tax, and VAT exemptions. The Abkhaz government undertakes to protect and indemnify their investment from losses. The opposition fears that the agreement opens the way for the Russian developer oligarchs to take over the swaths of territory and choke local small businesses. They also point to the risks of the oligarchs grabbing power.