Georgian Official Concerned over Abkhazia Developments

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava condemned the recent developments in breakaway Abkhazia regarding the disputed October 3 presidential elections and said that there is “a vivid attempt to appoint” pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba as the president of the unrecognized republic.

The Supreme Court revised its earlier decision and annulled on October 29 presidential election results, which declared opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh President-elect. The Supreme Court has also ordered to hold re-vote within two months. However, later judge of Supreme Court Giorgi Akaba said that he was “forced” by the supporters of the pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba to revise his decision.

Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava told Russian news agency RIA Novosti that the authorities in breakaway Abkhazia hopes to “mobilize all state resources in two months in order to push their favorite Khajimba on the presidential post.”

He also said that Georgia can not remain indifferent to the developments in Abkhazia. “The elections in Abkhazia are illegitimate. But the population of Georgia, including Abkhazians and Georgians, should have the right to freely express their political position,” Goga Khaindrava added.

Khaindrava also said, on October 27, that in the event that opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh takes over the Abkhaz presidency, the Georgian population in the Gali district might avoid further pressure from the Abkhaz side. Khaindrava said that the votes cast in favor of Bagapsh in the Gali district of Abkhazia largely determined the opposition candidate’s success in the October 3 presidential elections.