Key Agencies

Joint Information-Coordination Center of the Ministries of Internal Affairs

After the War of August 2008, in order to increase Russian Federation control over Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region in the field of security, joint information-coordination centers of the Ministries of Internal Affairs were established in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali Region

Information-Coordination Center Foundation

Tskhinvali Region

On July4, 2016, in Tskhinvali, Igor Zubov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation, and Akhsar Lavoyev, de facto Minister of Internal Affairs of Tskhinvali Region, signed agreement on „Procedure for Formation and Operation of Joint Information-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Ministries“. The Center foundation was envisaged under the agreement on „Alliance and Integration“ signed between Tskhinvali Region and Russian Federation on March 18, 2015. In pursuance of the agreement article 4, parties agreed on foundation of joint information-coordination center to coordinate activities in direction of combat against organized crime and other serious crimes.

Despite the full support of de facto government of Tskhinvali Region, the center was delayed in time. Due to delay, comission was created at de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tskhinvali Region in October of 2017 to address issues related to the center formation. Finally, the center was opened in December of 2018. In 2019, the 3rd anniversary of signing agreement was solemnly marked.

Abkhazia

On May 18, 2017, in Sochi, Igor Zubov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation, and Aslan Kobakhia, de facto Minister of Internal Affairs, signed agreement on „Procedure for Formation and Operation of Joint Information-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Ministries“. The Center foundation was envisaged under the agreement on „Alliance and Strategic Partnership“ signed between Abkhazia and Russian Federation on November 24, 2014. In pursuance of the agreement article 10, parties agreed on foundation of joint information-coordination center to coordinate activities in direction of combat against organized crime and other serious crimes.

Unlike Tskhinvali Region, opinions regarding the Center establishment varied in Abkhazia. De facto parliament of Abkhazia ratified agreement on the Center formation on July 26, 2017. At the session only 23 MPs out of 34 voted in favor of this decision, 9 – opposed and two did not attend.Opponents to the Center establishment stated that with “Joint Center foundation, government renounced independence of Abkhazia”. According to the supporters of the Center, the work of the structure, which will not have authority „to undertake investigations“, would further promote the combat against crime.

Main differences

The Center establishment supporters in Abkhazia were to consider opponents’ negative approaches and consequently, compared to Tskhinvali, the Center has less authority in Abkhazia.

Unlike Tskhinvali Region, in Abkhazia maximum number of the Center staff should not exceed 20 persons. Unlike Abkhazia, the Center officers in Tskhinvali Region will be authorised to keep, carry and use weapons as well as undertake investigations. The Center staff in Tskhinvali Region will be able to use special flash and sound on service vehicles. In addition, the Center director in Tskhinvali Region is member of collegium of de facto Internal Affairs Ministry. At the same time, in case of Tskhinvali, the agreement states that the working language of the Center will be Russian.

The Center Structure and Tasks

The center is headed by director who, by joint decision of Internal Affairs Minister of Russian Federation and de facto Internal Affairs Ministers of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, is appointed and dismissed for a term of three years. The same decision applies to the Deputy Director regarding to appointment and dismissal. The Center Director and his/her Deputy shall not be representatives of the same side. The sides representatives will occupy position of the Center Director on rotation basis.

The Center activity is financed by Russia. The salary of the Center Director equals to the position of Division Head, which is part of the Main Division (Department) of the Central Office of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Center performs the following tasks:

  • Organize exchange of important operational information between the law enforcement agencies of the sides, as well as administer necessary operational and criminal data.
  • Create and administer specialized databases on organized crime groups whose illegal activities impact on the interests of Russia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.
  • Collect and analyse all information on combat against organized crime and other serious types of crime.
  • Conducting search and extradition of persons who have avoided prosecution or sentencing.
  • Support in necessary actions agreed to combat against serious type of crime that endanger the security of Russia, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
  • Develop and submit proposals to enhance cooperation effectiveness.