On Friday, protesters in Georgia’s Abkhazia region stormed the parliament building, demanding the resignation of pro-Kremlin President Aslan Bzhania.

A truck breached the government building’s security gates in Sukhumi, allowing protesters to enter through windows and occupy the halls, according to East 2 West news.

Russian authorities are monitoring the situation and advising against travel to the region, Reuters reported.

Moscow has significant economic interests in Abkhazia, having recognized its independence from Georgia following the 2008 invasion.

Initial protests focused on an investment agreement criticized for potentially displacing local residents, but opposition leader Temur Gulia stated the protests now demand Bzhania’s resignation, Reuters reported.

Bzhania was reportedly absent during the protest.

The presidential administration announced plans to withdraw the investment agreement, but opposition leader Eshsou Kakalia insisted on Bzhania’s resignation before protesters disperse.

Bzhania’s resignation would be the third in Abkhazia since 2008.

“Abkhazians don’t want to rejoin Georgia,” Will Stewart of East 2 West News told Digital. “They fought a war against that, or their fathers did.

“But they also don’t want wealthy Russians to overwhelm their culture and way of life through real estate purchases. That’s the risk now,” he added.

Stewart explained that Western sanctions on Russia may be driving wealthy Russians to Abkhazia, sparking local opposition.

Reports from late August 2008 indicated separatist support for Moscow’s recognition of Abkhazia, but current attitudes toward the Kremlin remain unclear.

Most nations do not recognize Abkhazia’s independence, and Moscow’s recognition under Dmitry Medvedev drew international condemnation.

Then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel deemed the move unacceptable, violating principles of territorial integrity and international law.

This action, weeks after Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, marked a significant shift in post-Cold War relations.

The West’s muted response to the violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity is seen as contributing to Russia’s subsequent invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.