Russia, which strongly promotes pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba in the Abkhaz presidency struggle, made it clear on November 12 that it will directly intervene in the developments in the region if it feels its interests are being threatened in the unrecognized republic.
Tbilisi responded with a strong-worded statement and condemned Moscow’s interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement follows the capturing of major governmental offices in capital Sokhumi by the opposition activists on November 12, which led to the death of one elderly woman.
Reports say that it is relatively calm in Sokhumi, but the governmental offices remain under the opposition’s control.
Outgoing Abkhaz President Vladislav Ardzinba accused opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, who claims victory in the October 3 presidential elections, of “an armed coup.”
But the opposition denies these accusations. The statement issued by Bagapsh’s election headquarters reads that the unrest in Sokhumi was triggered by the “foolish” decision by the governmental guard to open “unjustified fire,” according to Regnum news agency.
Meanwhile, Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba said that the Abkhaz government continues to fulfill its duties despite fleeing the governmental offices.
Khashba was appointed on this position after the crisis erupted in Abkhazia following the disputed October 3 presidential polls. Before this appointment Khashba served in the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations.
Pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba, who demands repeat presidential elections, told supporters gathered in the Sokhumi Philharmonic Hall that it will be hard to hold dialogues with Bagapsh after what has happened, Itar-Tass news agency reported.
The crisis in Abkhazia has already grown into a standoff between Moscow and Tbilisi. The Georgian side has repeatedly accused Russia of intervening in the Abkhazian issue, actions which are regarded by Tbilisi as interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili convened a special late-night press conference on November 12 to promptly respond the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which was made earlier on the same day.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses its strongest protest and emotion in relation to the declaration made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to which the Russian Federation would be obliged to resort to any means in case of a deterioration of the situation in Abkhazia, in order to protect its own interests,” Salome Zourabichvili said.
“The Ministry of Foreign affairs of Georgia calls upon the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General and the international community to give the proper reaction to such Russian declarations, to reiterate their support for Georgia’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity and to warn Russia to abstain from any interference in Georgia’s internal affairs,” she added.
Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Aleksander Yakovenko described recent developments in Sokhumi as “an attempt to forcefully take over power.”
Moscow warned the opposition that Bagapsh and his supporters will be fully responsible for possible consequences.
“If the situation in Abkhazia develops in an illegal way, the Russian side will undertake measures in order to protect its interests in Abkhazia,” Aleksander Yakovenko added.