Protests against the 'Russian Investment Agreement' in Abkhazia, a pro-Russian autonomous region

Protests erupted in Abkhazia, a pro-Russian autonomous region that declared independence from Georgia, on Tuesday, opposing a Russian investment deal and calling for the president to step down.The Congress of Abkhazia

decided to deliberate on ratifying the Russian investment agreement on the same day, but postponed the meeting due to massive protests.

Protesters used trucks to break through the iron gates surrounding the Capitol, chanting and protesting vigorously, and they also went into the presidential administration office in the same building as the Capitol to demand the president step down.

At least nine people were taken to hospital in the process, Reuters reported.

The main content of the investment agreement signed by Russia and Abkhazia on the 30th of last month is to allow Russian companies to conduct tourism investment business on Abkhazia territory.

The opposition party has appealed to citizens to participate in the protests, saying the deal would topple the country's economic sovereignty, although the government expects the Abkhazia economy to get better with Russian investment.

"We are watching the situation in neighboring friendly Abkhazia with concern," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mariya Zakharova said in a statement, urging Russians to refrain from travelling to Abkhazia and withdraw as much as possible if they are already there.

Zakharova criticized Abkhazia's opposition for triggering a worsening conflict and preventing the country from developing and attracting foreign investment.