Publication: N1 / Review Period: October 1-31, 2022
The review is being prepared within the framework of the Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region project. The purpose of the review is to provide readers with information about main events and trends in the occupied regions of Georgia. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the developments taking place in the occupied regions of Georgia.
Abkhazia
Gali Meetings
Talks about re-establishing meetings of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gali have become more frequent recently. The last meeting in this format was held in 2018. At the 56th round of the Geneva International Discussions which took place on October 5, the Abkhaz side voiced its proposal on the restoration of IPRM meetings. On October 17, the de facto Foreign Minister, Inal Ardzinba, talked about the issue at a meeting with the Russian “Ambassador” to Abkhazia, Mikhail Shurgalin. Denis Gonchar, the Director of the 4th CIS Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supervising the relations with the occupied regions of Georgia, also touched upon the issue. Meetings of this format are regularly held in Ergneti between the Georgian and Ossetian sides. The official position of the Georgian side on the restoration of meetings in Gali is unknown at this stage.
Abkhaz Side in Geneva. Source: mfaapsny.org
Russian Passports and the EU
The European Parliament supported an initiative on non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia which will be a serious challenge for the residents of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. If previously they could travel to Europe with a Russian passport, it will be difficult to organize travel to Europe after this decision enters into force. The initiative caused a sharp reaction in Abkhazia. Inal Ardzinba made a harsh statement and threatened to restrict the activities of non-governmental and international organizations in Abkhazia which receive funding from the European Union. According to Ardzinba, humanitarian projects are aimed at influencing the internal politics of Abkhazia and changing its foreign-political vector. He called the EU approach which, on the one hand finances projects and, on the other hand, restricts Russian passports, is a policy of double standards. He accused the European Union of isolating the Abkhaz people.
New Cadres
A trend of appointing young personnel is observed in the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the appointment of Inal Ardzinba as the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia (November 17, 2021). In October, Ardzinba appointed three young cadres to various positions in the “Ministry.” Among them is Vladimir Achba who was appointed as the Chief of Staff. He has a British education and is from an influential family. Achba was instructed to develop the criteria for evaluating the work of employees which Ardzinba might need to legitimize dismissal of unwanted and old staff from the Ministry.
In October, the Pride of Abkhazia - 2022 competition ended. The competition was held for the first time in 2020 within the framework of the Future of Abkhazia social platform. This year, it took place for the second time and revealed three winners which will undergo an internship in Russia. The competition is being held on the initiative of Inal Ardzinba. Many participants of the competition are already working with him. They suspect in Abkhazia that Ardzinba considers participants of the competition as future members of his political team.
Mobilization and Sokhumi’s Response
The so-called partial military mobilization in Russia has raised some fears among the population of Abkhazia the majority of which have also Russian citizenship. Although ethnic Abkhaz volunteers are also involved in the Russian military aggression in Ukraine, participation of the Abkhaz in the war has no massive form. The de facto government expresses its support for Russia through various symbolic measures (humanitarian aid, acceptance of refugees, making supportive statements, visits to Donbas).
Amid the background of dispatching military personnel of the 7th Russian military base to the war, military exercises involving the Russian military have dramatically decreased in Abkhazia. Although various measures aimed at increasing the defense capabilities of the de facto republic and preventing possible threats have increased: meetings of the territorial defense headquarters, accounting of internal mobilization resources, inventory of civil defense facilities, etc. On October 20, the autumn draft was launched which will last until the end of the year. Local businessmen were also asked to support strengthening of the de facto republic’s defense capabilities.
Diplomatic “Breakthrough”
Meeting Between Dmitry Mezentsev and Inal Ardzinba. Source: mfaapsny.org
Georgian Products in Abkhazia
The de facto Prosecutor General's Office of Abkhazia verified information disseminated in the media on the sale of Georgian products in Abkhaz stores. The inspection depicted 74 cans whose labels show the Georgian flag and a map of Georgia which includes Abkhazia. In addition, various stores sold a total of 11 units of Georgian mineral water, including: Borjomi, Likani, Nabeghlavi, Sairme, etc. The label on Morozova cookies includes Russian and Georgian inscriptions and indicates that an importer company is registered in Tbilisi. These products were imported to Abkhazia by entrepreneurs. It was also identified that the Georgian flag was displayed on the cover of the 7th grade Atlas of geography in a school in the Ochamchire district. This case is a proof that Georgian products can be imported into the occupied Abkhazia; however, the appearance of Georgian products or symbols is perceived as a source of danger in local society.
Tskhinvali Region
Mobilization and Tskhinvali’s Response
The so-called partial military mobilization announced in Russia raised fears in the Tskhinvali region as well. The de facto President, Alan Gagloev, called on the representatives of the Armed Forces to use regional and not Russian passports when traveling in Russia, thereby avoiding conscription. The existing fears in this regard were strengthened by the opening of a temporary conscription checkpoint near Kvemo Zaramagi, at the so-called border connecting the region with Russia. It raised fears that residents of the Tskhinvali region with Russian passports would be drafted to fight in Ukraine. The checkpoint was closed on October 21.
Confrontation with Bibilov
Bibilov is currently in the Russian-occupied Donbas from where he releases propaganda videos and the information resources which he supports are discrediting Gagloev.
Movement Along the Occupation Line
According to an August 18 decision of the de facto Security Council, the population of the occupied Akhalgori and Java districts can enter the territory controlled by the Government of Georgia from the 20th to the 30th of each month. According to the so-called State Security Committee of the Tskhinvali region, a total of 2,931 local people used this right in October and crossed the so-called border through the Razdakhan (Odzisi/Mosabruni) and Pereu (Perevi) “crossing points.” As reported in open sources, residents could carry hand luggage without restrictions, including goods which are subject to sanctions in Russia.