Zatulin commented on the riots in Sukhum

The mass protest actions of the opposition in Abkhazia, which broke out against the background of the planned ratification by the parliament of the investment agreement with Russia, was regarded by State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin as an intention to rock the situation in the republic before the upcoming presidential elections.

"Russia proceeds from the fact that Abkhazia is its ally, a country that we have recognized and supported. If the agreement is not ratified, the opportunities to provide assistance to Abkhazia will be significantly reduced. And she, frankly, depends on this help. The oppositionists do not take this into account, because the logic of those who organize demonstrations is: the worse it is, the better before the elections. And then, they say, we will come to power and agree on everything. I would warn them against such adventurism," the NSN quotes Zatulin.

The deputy believes that the refusal of the investment agreement is not in the interests of Abkhazia.

"The people who came to the parliament are representatives of the opposition, who are looking for any reason to shake up stability in the republic and form a negative image of the authorities on the eve of future presidential elections. They don't care what excuse to use. For some time now, they have found nothing better than to try to torpedo certain Russian-Abkhaz agreements. They suspect Russia of something, and those who negotiate with it. I don't see anything good in the fact that the opposition in Abkhazia has chosen such a method — neither for the republic nor for the opposition itself," Zatulin said.

According to him, most of the residents of Abkhazia calmly accept or support investment from Russia, this was demonstrated when the opposition "staged a rehearsal" on Monday, November 11, by blocking bridges. Ordinary citizens were most outraged about this. As a result, these bridges and roads had to be unblocked, Zatulin said.

He hopes that the protesting opposition will come to an agreement within itself and stop the actions.

"There are different people in the opposition, including rabid ones. There are also quite worthy, critical of the authorities, who have their own point of view, but at the same time understand their responsibility. I hope that some will reason with others and that no illegal actions will be committed. Abkhazia is a small country, and I would not advise anyone to take risks. I really hope that the deputies will evaluate the agreement objectively, and not under the influence of emotions, which will not bring any damage to Abkhazia. On the contrary, it will only remove the issues that have been accumulating for years," Zatulin added.

EADaily reported that since the morning of November 15, opposition forces demanded that deputies vote against the ratification of the investment agreement with Russia, but then they changed the requirements. Protesters occupied the buildings of the government complex in Sukhumi and demand the early resignation of President Aslan Bzhania. According to the latest information, Bzhania told the opposition negotiators that he would not agree to their condition.

The Russian Foreign Ministry recommended its citizens to refrain from traveling to Abkhazia and stay away from places of unrest. The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, in turn, recommended the tourism business to suspend the sale of tours to Abkhazia.