Public Defender condemns “disturbing” transfer of territory in occupied Abkhazia to Russia

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani on Wednesday condemned the ratification of the transfer to Russia of Bichvinta holiday retreat in the country’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region as “disturbing”. 

Ioseliani stressed the decision of the de facto parliament of Abkhazia was a “gross violation” of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and contradicted the country’s constitution.

Georgia's jurisdiction extends to Abkhazia as a territory of Georgia. Accordingly, the disposal of state-owned real estate in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia should be carried out only in accordance with the rules established by the legislation of Georgia, as defined in the Law of Georgia on State Property”, he said.

Ioseliani noted the development was “another clear manifestation of the numerous and large-scale practices” carried out in the occupied territories of Georgia, for which Russia was responsible. 

The transfer grants ownership on all construction on the territory of the Bichvinta holiday area to the Russian Federal Protection Service, with the surrounding 186-hectare land transferred to Russia on a 49-year lease.