Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Grigory Karasin, spoke by phone with foreign minister of breakaway Abkhazia Viacheslav Chirikba and expressed “concern over escalation of internal political situation in Abkhazia where demonstrations, organized by the opposition, took place on May 27,” the Russian MFA said.

“The Russian side is watching events in friendly republic with attention and alarm and deems it important to have public-political processes there solely within the legal framework. It was noted that speedy stabilization of internal political situation in Abkhazia is in the interest of development of Russian-Abkhazian relations,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Opposition leaders remain in control of the presidential administration, which the protesters, who want Abkhaz leader Alexander Ankvab’s resignation, took over late last night.