Abashidze Warns over “Bloody Conflict” in Adjara

Head of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze told reporters on January 27 that the events in Adjara might “develop like in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” when early 90s Georgian troops were involved in bloody conflict with its secessionist regions.

Abashidze also warned that after the possible conflict in Adjara “we will face endless talks over the peace process, like it happens in regard to Abkhazia.”

Abashidze’s statement follows after the creation of the new public movement Democratic Adjara, which aims at democratic reforms in Adjara.

The leader of the movement Edward Surmanidze is the member of the United Democrats party and close ally to State Minister Zurab Zhvania.  

Georgian media already speculates that Zurab Zhvania will try to deploy Edward Surmanidze as Aslan Abashidze’s heir.

The first congress of the movement was held in Tbilisi on January 27. Around 4,000 members of the movement, which arrived from Adjara, attended the congress.