Abkhaz Opposition Rejects Russia’s Deal to Overcome Crisis

The Abkhaz opposition declined a Moscow-proposed deal in which Russia was ready to support opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh, who has been declared president-elect, granting that he appoint Nodar Khashba as the Prime Minister of the unrecognized republic, the Georgian news agency Inter-Press reported on October 22.

Nodar Khashba was appointed by ailing Abkhaz de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba as Prime Minister after a crisis erupted in the breakaway region following disputed October 3 presidential elations. Before the new appointment he served as a deputy chief of the investments division of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations.

Inter-Press quoted Leonide Lakerbaya, one of the opposition leaders and supporter of Sergey Bagapsh, as saying that Russia proposed the deal in an attempt to end the crisis in Abkhazia.

Meanwhile, a court hearing is in progress over the appeal of pro-governmental and Moscow-backed presidential candidate Raul Khajimba, who demands the cancellation of the Central Election Commission decision, which declares Bagapsh president-elect with 50.08% of votes.

According to the Abkhaz Constitution the Supreme Court should announce final ruling before October 23.