Russian Security Chief Mediates in Adjara Crisis

Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze with protesters in Adjara’s second largest town of Kobuleti.

Secretary of Russian National Security Council Igor Ivanov arrived in Adjarian capital Batumi late on May 5, where thousands of protesters rally demanding Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s resignation. Russian security chief will try to mediate peaceful end to Adjara crisis.

Earlier on Wednesday President Saakashvili said, “the hours of Abashidze’s regime are numbered” and offered a safe passage to the Adjarian leader. Mikheil Saakashvili also said that he will impose direct presidential rule in the Autonomy after Aslan Abashidze resigns.

“I talked twice on phone with Russian President Vladimer Putin today. I urged Mr. Putin to grant Aslan Abashidze political asylum. I vowed that Georgia will never demand his extradition, despite the grave crimes committed by him [Abashidze]. But we are ready to make this in order to avoid bloodshed,” Mikheil Saakashvili said at a press conference on May 5.

“We have not received reply from Russians yet. Moscow considers our proposal,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.

Arrival of Igor Ivanov, the Secretary of Russian National Security Council is a good sign for the Georgia’s central authorities. Last November, by then Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov arrived in Georgia and mediated between by former opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili and Georgian ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze that led to latter’s resignation.

He said that after Abashidze’s resignation direct presidential rule will be imposed in Adjara, before the holding of snap local elections in the region. “Adjara will retain autonomous status, but before the elections direct presidential rule will be imposed,” Mikheil Saakashvili added.

President Saakashvili also said that Adjarian Interior Minister Jemal Gogitidze, as well Security Minister Soso Gogitidze and his deputies will enjoy with security guarantees. Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office brought criminal charges against all of these officials in March.

He also said that Georgia should be “proud, because we have managed to carry out two bloodless revolutions during several months.” Last November peaceful demonstrations in Tbilisi forced ex-President Shevardnadze to resign.