Publication: N7 / Review Period: April 1-30, 2023

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 

Aslan Bzhania's Visit to Moscow

On April 18, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, left for a working visit to Moscow. During the visit, he met with the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, and the Minister of Finance, Anton Siluanov. Only these two meetings were reported about Bzhania’s long visit to Moscow. Opponents often criticize the de facto President for the fact that he leaves Abkhazia for a long time, while very little information is spread about his meetings in Moscow.

Aslan Bzhania's Meeting with Rashid Nurgaliyev

“Border” Temporary Closure

On April 7, in connection with the ongoing political events in Tbilisi, the Abkhaz side restricted movement through the Enguri crossing checkpoint. The de facto government's decision was due to the fact that ethnic Georgians living in the Gali district might participate in a political rally against the Georgian government in Tbilisi which was organized by the United National Movement opposition party. The de facto republic and Russia believe that the West is trying to change the government of Georgia through a “color revolution” and open a “second front” for Russia, to which the Georgian Dream government opposes. The restriction was lifted on April 10. The de facto Head of the Gali district, Konstantin Filia, also commented on the issue saying that the situation in the Gali district is stable and there are no residents willing to participate in the rallies.

Simplified Trade?

On March 31, 2023, Aslan Bzhania issued a decree which provides for the simplification of transfer of certain categories of products between the occupied Abkhazia and the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia. The document contains a specific list of products (seedlings of perennial and annual plants, seeds of agricultural crops, live poultry, feed for farm animals, agricultural machinery, equipment for the production and processing of agricultural products, motor transport, auto parts, motor oils) the transfer of which will be simplified at the so-called Enguri crossing checkpoint.  

Text of the Resolution

This decision raised uncertainty and questions in Abkhazia since it was considered as an attempt to legalize economic relations with the Georgian side. According to the Customs Committee of the de facto republic, the said change will only affect individuals who will be allowed to transport cargo after paying the customs duties.

The Minister of Agriculture and the Vice Prime Minister, Beslan Jopua, also commented on the issue. As he said, “the introduction of the amendment to the 2007 decree regarding the list of goods to be transported across the Abkhaz-Georgian border was due to the need to implement an agricultural development program.” According to Jopua, it is not possible to import subtropical plants from Russia, so it can only be imported from Georgia.

The adoption of such a decision was probably caused by a reduction in the import of these products from Russia to Abkhazia as a result of the sanctions imposed against Moscow. In the current situation, import of these products from the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia can fill such a deficit.

Fight Against the Georgian Special Services

The so-called State Security Service of the occupied Abkhazia published a video, which, according to the Service, confirms that “the Georgian Special Services continue to conduct reconnaissance activities on the territory of the Republic.” According to the Service, an employee of the Georgian Special Service, Jano Dzagania, tried to involve residents of the de facto republic in reconnaissance activities. One of them was Jessica Shengelia, a citizen of Georgia living in Abkhazia, and the other -  Irma Khukhua, a resident of Sokhumi. Both of them voluntarily went to the so-called State Security Service. According to the Service, “the activities of the Georgian Special Services are becoming more sophisticated, organized and technically equipped.”

International Activity

• On April 5, the “Ambassador” of Abkhazia to Russia, Alkhas Kvitsinia, presented the credentials to the Russian President.
• On April 6, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba, met with the Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and African Countries, the Deputy Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov. The meeting is important since Africa and the Middle East are a priority direction for the de facto republic in terms of expanding international ties.
• On April 14, an Abkhaz delegation delivered 200 tons of humanitarian cargo to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey.
• On April 20, the Adviser-Envoy of the “Embassy” of Abkhazia in Russia, Dmitry Ketia, met with the Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Semyon Grigoriev. The meeting discussed the issue of assisting in the expansion of trade-economic and socio-cultural ties between the de facto republic and Tajikistan. Grigoriev was the first Russian “Ambassador” to Abkhazia 92008-2018). Reportedly, Ketia also met with businessmen in Tajikistan.

Meeting with Semyon Grigoriev in Tajikistan

The 57th Round of the Geneva Discussions 

On April 4-5, the 57th round of the Geneva International Discussions was held. The Head of a delegation from Abkhazia, the de facto Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Irakli Tuzhba, proposed the restoration of IPRM (Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism) meetings in Gali. Recently, in addition to Abkhazia, Russia has also been demanding the restoration of IPRM meetings in Gali which have not been held since 2018 when an Abkhaz border guard killed Giga Otkhozoria. According to Tuzhba, they demand Georgian citizens to present foreign passports for the movement along the occupation line, to which the Georgian side refuses. That's why Tuzhba suggests to hold meetings on one of the islands in the so-called neutral zone, along the downstream of the Enguri River.

Opposing to Privatization

On April 19, the de facto parliament of Abkhazia prohibited the privatization or leasing of electric power facilities without its consent. Such a decision is due to the widespread fear in Abkhazia that Russia may establish full control over the energy sector of the de facto republic, which Abkhazia views as a loss of its “sovereignty.”

Likhni Tree

In the village of Likhni, damages were found on the bark of a centuries-old linden tree which is considered a spiritual symbol for Abkhazians. The damage to the linden tree caused a great stir in Abkhazia. On April 11, two citizens of the de facto republic were arrested in the case. According to an investigation version, the crime may have been committed with the assistance of foreign special services in order to destabilize the de facto republic. The tree was also treated with drugs sent from China and at this stage treatment result are being expected.

Personnel Changes

• On April 14, Timur Jinjolia was appointed as a new Head of Chernomorenergo. In this position he replaced Ramin Zingishvili who has occupied this position since February 2, 2023. Recently, heads of Chernomorenergo have been frequently changed due to the energy crisis in Abkhazia.
• On April 19, Anas Kishmaria, born in 1987, was elected as the Ombudsperson of the de facto republic. In 2022-2022, she was a consultant on human rights protection to a “deputy” elected from the occupied Gali district.

Tskhinvali Region

Simplification of Movement Along the Occupation Line

On April 26, 2023, amendments applied to the February 15, 2011  decision of the de facto government which provides for the simplification of getting so-called passes for the movement along the occupation line.  As a result, an application for crossing the “border” will be possible to submit in Java and Akhalgori “administrations.” Previously, the mentioned application was only submitted in the so-called State Security Committee. In addition, residents of the Ksani gorge and Sinaguri-Kardzmani zone will also be allowed to obtain passes for crossing the administration line in Akhalgori and Java administrations.

Movement along the occupation line was restored by an August 18, 2022 decision of the de facto Security Council. On the 20th to 30th of each month, residents of the occupied Akhalgori and Java districts can move to the territory controlled by the Georgian authorities through the so-called crossing checkpoints of Odzisi/Mosabruni and Perevi/Kardzmani. About 3,000 people enjoy this right monthly.

Government Official’s Visit

Dmitry Volvach, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, who oversees the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, visited the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region. Volvach inspected the progress of Russian-finance projects and met with de facto leaders. The purpose of his visit was also to check the effectiveness of spending Russian money. In this regard, certain problems were observed during the inspection by the Russian Federal Treasury. According to the Chairman of the de facto government, Alan Jiov, a total of 40% of violations specified in the Act of the Russian Federal Treasury Inspection have already been eliminated. There are a total of 87 notes, the largest number of notes refer to the payment of salaries to those employees who work in several agencies. It is an established practice in the region that people are employed in several public agencies simultaneously to receive a high salary. The Kremlin demands to eliminate such practices.

Dmitry Volvach Inspecting Objects under Construction

Meeting in Ergneti

On April 27, the 112th meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) was held in the village of Ergneti (Gori municipality). According to the Ossetian side, provocations from the Georgian side have increased since the previous meeting which was manifested by frequent patrols of the Georgian Security Forces near the occupation line. The issue of dismantling the Georgian police checkpoint in the village of Chorchana was voiced again. It should also be noted that the parties agreed on details necessary to prepare for the next irrigation season. The 113th meeting will be held on July 3.

New Participants in the Jabiev’s Case

According to the de facto Prosecutor's Office, a criminal case was initiated against Ludwig Alborov, a former employee of the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs, for exceeding his official authority in the case of Inal Jabiev. Before that, another criminal case was launched against the former de facto Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Naniev. Jabiev died on August 28, 2020 in a building of the criminal militia as a result of violence by law enforcement officials. Jabiev's case dealt a serious political blow to Gagloyev's predecessor, Anatoly Bibilov, and contributed to his defeat in the “presidential” elections. Regarding the protraction in the Jabiev’s case, Gagloyev said that “the case is ready to be submitted to the court, but the suspects are delaying as they cannot complete their acquaintance with the case materials.”

Major Changes in the De Facto Government

Major changes were made in the de facto government of the Tskhinvali region. Alan Jioev will be a new Deputy Prime Minister. Alan Guchmazov was appointed as a new de facto Minister of Internal Affairs.  He will also have new deputies. The de facto Defense Minister has two new deputies, one of them, Alan Bolotaev, was the Deputy Director of the Joint Information and Coordination Center of Russia and the Tskhinvali region. Aslan Lolaev, who has been a deputy in the same department since 2010, was appointed as the de facto Minister of Education. Kazbek Tsarikaev, who has been Gagloyev's advisor since November 2022, was appointed as the de facto Minister of Finance. After ten years of work in the position, the de facto Minister of Construction, Eduard Dzagoev, was dismissed. He was replaced by Konstantin Eldzarov. The de facto Mayor of Tskhinvali, Geno Kajaya, was also replaced by Romeo Khugaev, a former employee of the Security Service.