Tbilisi calls ‘presidential runoff’ in Abkhazia illegal, illegitimate

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said today’s second round of so-called presidential elections in the Russian occupied region of Abkhazia is “illegal” and “illegitimate”.

• 15 countries release joint statement condemning ‘presidential elections’ in Russia-occupied Abkhazia

Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia said these elections are neither recognised by the Government of Georgia nor the international community. He said the only purpose of elections in occupied regions is to “legitimise” Russian occupation in Georgia. 

There is only one country, which carries out effective control over these territories and this is the Russian Federation”, he stated.

Occupied Abkhazia held “presidential elections” on August 25 to reveal the region’s new de facto leader. However, none of the nine candidates managed to overcome the necessary threshold. 

• EU’s Eyes and Ears on Russia’s Creeping Occupation of Georgia

Opposition leader Alkhas Kvitsinia is running against incumbent “president” Raul Khajimba in the second round of elections. 

Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

• Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions on August 26, 2008 after the five-day the Russo-Georgia war.
• As of today, only five countries recognise the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali including Russia, Venezuela, Nauru, Nicaragua and Syria. 
• The rest of the international community says that the regions are occupied by Russia and urge the country to withdraw its troops from Georgia.