Georgia Downplays Russia’s Concerns over Adjara

Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said that the government would seek confiscation of assets of ex-Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze “despite Russian concerns.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on May 11 expressing concern over “Georgian government’s intentions to misappropriate enterprises” owned by Abashidze supporters. 

“Abashidze is a criminal and bandit and money stolen by him and his allies will be returned to the Adjara’s population,” Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said at a news briefing on May 12.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also condemned the recent arrests of Adjara’s former top officials, who remained loyal to ex-Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.

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