Opposition leaders in Georgia's Moscow-backed breakaway region of Abkhazia claimed late on November 15 that lawmakers were mediating as a dispute continued with the region's leadership after opposition supporters stormed the local parliament over a controversial proposed deal with Moscow.
Local media said lawmakers had earlier failed to ratify the agreement, which reportedly would give preferential treatment to Russian property developers in the breakaway region, whose independence Moscow recognized 16 years ago but which Tbilisi and most of the international community still regard as Georgian territory.
Opposition leader Temur Gulia said that "negotiations are under way between the Coordination Council and members of parliament, who are communicating with the incumbent president [Aslan Bzhania] and conveying our proposals to him."
Hours earlier, the crowd outside forced its way into the grounds of the parliament building in Sukhumi, the regional capital, and was said to be pushing the legislature to vote on dropping the deal completely.
"The confrontation is growing, and there is a risk of it turning into bloodshed," Nuzhnaya Gazeta wrote on its Telegram channel.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili responded to the tensions in what Tbilisi regards as its occupied region by accusing Russia of "taking accelerated steps toward annexation" of Abkhazia. She "categorically condemned" the alleged moves by Moscow and expressed solidarity with the residents of Abkhazia, who she said were resisting attempts to introduce Russian legislation.
Zurabishvili's yearslong falling out with Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party intensified this year when lawmakers approved a law curbing foreign funding of NGOs and media with what she and critics called a "Russian law."
In Sukhumi, local media said hundreds of protesters clashed with security forces, who allegedly used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Local agency Apsnypress cited Abkhaz breakaway authorities as saying that seven people had been treated briefly for injuries and another remained under medical supervision. RFE/RL could not confirm that report.
SEE ALSO: Abkhazia Opposition Activists Released Amid ProtestsBzhania's press service subsequently said his administration is preparing a document on the withdrawal from parliament of the draft law. But protesters said they do not intend to withdraw before Bzhania resigns.
Appearing alongside Gulia, fellow oppositionist Kan Kvarchia said they had proposed two options, both of which included the resignations of Bzhania, his vice president, and the breakaway leadership's prime minister. The first option would leave parliamentary speaker Lasha Ashuba in charge until new elections are held, he said, while the second would allow the departing president to appoint a different individual "who satisfies all parties" as acting president until new voting.
Tensions have been running high in the region in recent weeks, with opposition activists demanding an end to Russia's dominance over the region and its economy, though opposition parties on November 15 said their protest is not against Russia.
"The actions of the protesters are not directed against relations between Russia and Abkhazia," they said in a joint statement. "In fact, we, the opposition, have always emphasized the importance of fraternal and strategic ties between our countries."
They said their anger was directed at Bzhania, whom they accused of using relations with Moscow "for his own selfish gain during his entire rule."
Russia's Foreign Ministry posted a statement in which spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the Abkhaz opposition of exceeding legal means and "provoking an escalation."
She said Russia was not interfering and expected the situation "will be resolved exclusively by peaceful political means."
Zakharova recommended that any Russian citizens in Abkhazia leave "if possible" and that others refrain from traveling there.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia's rule after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Moscow recognized the independence of the two regions after Russian forces repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war in the summer of 2008, which ended with Georgia's defeat.
Most countries still recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia, but its economy is almost entirely dependent on Moscow, which pays the salaries of public administrators as well as social payments to residents.