Publication: N24 / Review Period: September 1-30, 2024

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 the 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 interested in the developments that take place in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Abkhazia

Kozak-Bzhania’s Scandalous Protocol and the Termination of Funding

On August 29, a protocol of a scandalous meeting was disseminated on Abkhaz telegram channels. The meeting between the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions, took place on August 19, in Moscow. The protocol is dated August 28 and is a kind of ultimatum to Sokhumi. After the publication of the protocol, Moscow imposed a "sanction" on Sokhumi for non-fulfillment of its commitments and partially suspended funding effective September 1.

As per the protocol, Moscow, in exchange for financing, requests from Sokhumi the ratification of agreements on the recognition and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions on economic matters, entry into force of the agreement on the execution of investment projects on the territory of Abkhazia by Russian legal entities and lifting restrictions on the commercial real estate market for Russian investors (adoption of the so-called law on apartments). 

They made comments in Russia about Sokhumi's non-fulfillment of obligations:

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, called the termination of the funding a decision made by “the need to protect the balance of obligations.” According to him, the suspension of social funding does not mean the aggravation (of relations), it is about maintaining the balance of the commitments that the governments of the two countries have taken.
• According to Konstantin Zatulin, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, “the Parliament of Abkhazia has long been avoiding harmonization of legislation.” As he said, the ““active minority” in the Parliament of Abkhazia is campaigning against the agreements with Russia, since they consider these agreements as a threat to the sovereignty of the republic.”
• According to the First Deputy Chair of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, Alexey Chepa, “the reduction of Russian funding is related to the fact that the Parliament of Abkhazia is pursuing a policy that worsens the investment climate in the country.”

The de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, Vladimir Delba, commented on the termination of funding. “According to the Russian-Abkhaz agreement on the implementation of the 2022-2025 state program promoting the socio-economic development of the Republic of Abkhazia, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has the right to partially or fully suspend financial assistance to the Ministry of Finance of Abkhazia, in the event if the Abkhaz side does not comply with the agreement requirements related to the program on harmonization of the legislation of the two countries. Since certain points of the harmonization program were not fully implemented, and the deadline for their implementation was August 1, 2024, the Russian side suspended financial assistance in the fields of healthcare, education, culture, physical culture and sports, and social services. Only for August the funding amounts to RUB 141.7 million. Despite the partial suspension, the Abkhaz side will ensure the fulfillment of its budgetary obligations by reducing other budgetary expenses. By the end of the year, the suspension of Russian funding to Abkhazia will amount to RUB 700 million,” he said.

In Abkhazia, the termination of financing was perceived as a punitive measure by Russia for disobedience. The de facto government even accused the opposition and part of the society of inciting anti-Russian sentiments. On September 23, Bzhania also spoke about relations with Russia at a coordination meeting of law enforcement agencies. He considered it inadmissible to speculate on relations with a strategic partner. According to him, there are well-known public figures in Abkhazia who want to draw a parallel between the leadership of the Russian state and Georgia, which is unacceptable. “Russia is our brother and friend. No one is talking about joining it. Abkhazia is an independent state and we must fulfill our commitments,” Bzhania said. The meeting was also attended by the de facto Prime Minister, Alexander Ankvab, who scolded his opponents for using the word “colonizer” against Russia.

In Abkhazia, they perceived the termination of funding as a stern warning. Despite internal opposition, the de facto government was forced to comply with Moscow's demands in a timely manner; On September 25, the de facto parliament ratified the agreement on the recognition and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions on economic matters. At this stage, it is unknown whether this step is sufficient for the renewal of funding from Russia.

Bzhania's Messages

Against the backdrop of strained relations with Russia, Bzhania gave an interview to Abkhazian TV, where he spoke about the importance of relations with Russia.

Suspension of Russian funding: If the funding process is suspended, it will definitely affect a large number of Abkhaz citizens. Therefore, it is impossible to allow such a development of events.

Relations with Russia: I do not see a crisis in our relations. I see some uncertainty that has arisen due to the fact that part of our political establishment is blocking necessary and useful solutions, which is unacceptable.

Recognition of court and arbitration decisions: The Russian-Abkhaz agreement on the recognition of court and arbitration decisions opens new opportunities for economic development. This agreement does not involve any risk for our country.

Russian investments: We can accept investments only from Russia, everything else is a lie. No one will bring us any investments from the countries of the collective West. Along with the development of the economy, Russian investments are an additional factor for security.

Neutral passports: I don't see any need to adopt neutral passports. This idea belongs to the government of Georgia. All this stems from their program – “engagement through cooperation,” which envisages the reintegration of Abkhazia. I do not recommend anyone to obtain neutral passports, we have our Abkhaz passport and the passport of our ally, which is quite sufficient.

Cyber-​​Attack on the “President's” Website

On September 16, a cyber-attack was carried out on the website of the de facto president of Abkhazia. According to information on the website, Aslan Bzhania canceled the agreement on the establishment of the Russian naval base in the port of Ochamchire. Reportedly, Bzhania was also planning to establish a strategic partnership with Turkey. The dissemination of similar information seems to be aimed at discrediting Bzhania, whose relationship with Moscow has become difficult in the recent period due to unfulfilled obligations.

Website Screen after the Cyber-Attack  

Bzhania’s Information Center

On September 20, the “Information Center of the President of Abkhazia” started full-format operation. The center was opened on May 16, in the Gudou Plaza Business Center in Sokhumi. The media center is to monitor the media environment, identify acute problems and inform Bzhania about these issues. According to Bzhania, the work of the center will reduce incorrect interpretations which destructive forces use to strain the socio-political situation. In 2025, illegitimate presidential elections will be held in the occupied Abkhazia. Bzhania, who plans to run for another term as a “president,” intends to use the Information Center for his election campaign.

Criticizing of NGOs

Russia also joined the flow of criticism of NGOs operating in Abkhazia. The de facto government has long been trying to pass the so-called “Law of Agents,” but to no avail. The adoption of such a "law" is one of the commitments made by the de facto government to Russia, which cannot be fulfilled due to internal opposition.

According to a Russian propagandist, Margarita Simonyan, Western NGOs operating in Abkhazia are trying to change the cultural code of the youth and force them to turn away from Russia and make their way to America. Simonyan cited USAID as an example. As per her words, in its documents, the organization has written the reintegration of Abkhazia into Georgia as the main goal.

NGOs operating in Abkhazia were criticized by the commander of the Akhmat special forces, Hero of Russia Apti Alaudinov, who is close to the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. According to him, Abkhazia should unite around its leader in the fight against pro-Western non-governmental organizations.

Attack on a Journalist and an Activist

In addition to various types of pressure on NGO representatives, cases of physical violence also increased. On September 15, a journalist and administrator of the Abkhazskiy Portal telegram channel, David Gobechia, and an activist of the KharakhPitsunda movement, Lia Agrba, were attacked in the outskirts of Sokhumi. The masked assailants used tear gas and filmed the beating of Gobechia. Agrba's bag was stolen. The opposition and journalists called the fact political terror. The de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated an investigation into the case. Recently, the pressure on non-governmental organizations has intensified as they are considered the main opponents of deepening integration with Russia.

Tskhinvali Region

USA Imposed Sanctions on a Bank Operating in Tskhinvali

As reported on September 19, the US Treasury Department added five legal entities and one individual to the sanctions list for their participation in the illegal payments mechanism between North Korea and Russia. The Bank for International Settlements registered in Tskhinvali is among the sanctioned legal entities. The US State Department considers that these organizations and individuals are involved in illicit financial schemes that allow North Korea to violate financial sanctions and gain access to the international banking system. Sanctions are provided under UN Security Council Resolution 1718 and UN Security Council Resolution 2270 banning correspondence relationships with North Korean banks.

The Bank for International Settlements was registered in 2015. According to Meduza's October 2018 and Washington Post's November 2018 journalistic investigations, the bank was created for an extraordinary black scheme involving Russia, the Tskhinvali region and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. In February 2024, The New York Times published information according to which North Korea opened an account in a bank operating in the occupied Tskhinvali region. The article does not specify, but presumably it refers to the Bank for International Settlements.

Bank for International Settlements

Georgian Language Schools in the Akhalgori District

On September 6, an annual conference of teachers was held in the occupied Akhalgori district, which summed up the results of the last academic year and discussed the issues of the new academic year. It is noteworthy that as per a decree of the Head of the so-called district administration, “Leningori (as Akhalgori is referred to in the occupied region) Georgian secondary school” was renamed to “Leningori secondary school N2.” The word “Georgian” no longer appears in the new name of the school.

Akhalgori is the only district in the Tskhinvali region where the Georgian-speaking population lives, although this year, the Georgian language school of the district graduated its last class. From the following year, school students will receive Russian-language school certificates. The number of local Georgian population has decreased since 2019, when the so-called border checkpoints were closed (partially opened from 2022). After the restriction on movement to the territory controlled by the Georgian authorities, many young ethnic Georgians left the occupied region.

The education system of the Akhalgori district comprises eight secondary schools and two pre-school education institutions. In 2023-2024, the number of students totaled to 216. The largest number of students studied in Akhalgori N1 (85 students) and Tsinagari (41 students) schools.

There is also an open education center in the district, which was established at the initiative of the Armavir State Pedagogical University and with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education. A similar center has been opened in the Gali region. The goal of the center is to promote the Russian language. Its opening in the Georgian-speaking areas of the occupied regions aims at Russifying the local population and weakening the national identity. The closure of Georgian-language schools will make it easier to implement such a policy. Georgian-language schools no longer function in the Gali district, where the majority of the population is ethnically Georgian.

The 121st Meeting in Ergneti

On September 12, the 121st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting was held in Ergneti. The EU Monitoring Mission released a statement about the meeting. After the meeting, a representative of the State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia told journalists that since the last Ergneti meeting which was held in July, a total of eight cases of illegal “borderization” were recorded. The SSS representative also stated that six cases of illegal detention occurred in the same period, and nine more citizens of Georgia remain in illegal detention.

The 121st Meeting in Ergneti

A representative of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Egor Kochiev, once again requested the abolition of the police checkpoint in the village of Chorchana. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia opened the checkpoint in 2019, which was followed by a sharp reaction from Tskhinvali and movement restrictions for ethnic Georgians. Kochiev also stated that during the meeting the conversation touched upon the issue of UAVs operation. He also spoke about the uninterrupted supply of irrigation water to villages of the Tsinagari zone. It is noteworthy that the villages located on both sides of the occupation line benefit from irrigation water.

As scheduled, the next meeting will be held on November 12.

Oil Exploration

On September 19, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, attended the launch of exploration works at the oil field in the village of Ghromi of the so-called Tskhinvali region. According to the head of the project, Yuriy Kondriuk, as part of the exploration works, drilling will be done at a 2000-meter depth. Drilling is carried out by the IrnNfteGaz company. The decision to start drilling was made in April, when an agreement was signed between the de facto government and the Stroiprogress company. The president of Stroiprogress, Albert Jusoev, is from the Tskhinvali region. Specialists invited from Western Siberia participate in drilling. The village of Ghromi is located near the occupation line, close to the village of Mejvriskhevi. In the 1950s, drilling operations were carried out in the village, however oil extraction did not continue.

Oil Exploration Works in the Village of Ghromi

Meetings with Government Officials

In September, Gagloyev met Russian government officials in Moscow. On September 25, Gagloyev met with the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, Alexander Novak, who supervises the occupied regions in the Russian government. On September 26, Gagloyev met with the Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Russia, Dmitry Kozak. Kozak is the most influential person in the executive power of Russia in the direction of the occupied regions. Reportedly, the meetings discussed the issues of supporting the Tskhinvali region in the socio-economic sphere until 2030.

Meeting Between Alan Gagloyev and Alexander Novak

Bidzina Ivanishvili's “Apologize” and Occupied Regions’ Responses

On September 14, during a meeting held in Gori, within the frame of the election campaign, the founder and the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, blamed “external” forces and the then government of Georgia in the 2008 war. “We will find the strength in ourselves to apologize,” he said. In his speech, Ivanishvili did not mention Russia's responsibility for the military intervention and occupation that continues to this day.

According to a representative of the de facto presidential administration of the Tskhinvali region, Yuri Vazagov, “statements of various political forces of Georgia regarding South Ossetia are directly related to the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.” He also added that “based on the sad experience of Georgian-Ossetian relations, Tskhinvali expects not only verbal declarations, but also practical steps, including within the Geneva International Discussions, whose main issue remains the signing of the legally binding document on security guarantees. At the same time, the independence of South Ossetia cannot be the subject of discussion.” 

According to the Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of South Ossetia, “neither Bidzina Ivanishvili nor other Georgian politicians had any profound understanding of the South Ossetian tragedy.” According to Tskhinvali communists, “the hypocrisy of Georgian politicians regarding the issue of South Ossetia has long been known and has no bounds. He (Ivanishvili) only today, after passing 34 years, realized the catastrophic consequences of Georgia's crimes against South Ossetia.”

The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region also commented on the issue saying that the topic of Georgian-Ossetian relations is used for internal political struggle in the pre-election period. The “Ministry” expects that Georgia will sign the legally binding document on non-use of force in the short run.

As per a statement of Abkhazia's de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Georgia still has the resources to internally reassess and admit mistakes - let's hope that Ivanishvili will be sincere in his intentions.” The statement notes that “even though the “apologize” does not directly refer to the Republic of Abkhazia, we would like to point out that if such a declaration is supported by real steps taken towards reconciliation, re-evaluating past mistakes and apologizing to the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, refusing the methods of political and economic pressure and further signing of peace agreements – this can be beginning of the process leading to peaceful coexistence and good neighborly relations.”

Irakli Kobakhidze's Speech at the UN General Assembly Session and Occupied Regions’ Responses

On September 25, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, delivered a speech at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. He commented on the occupied territories of Georgia and said: “Although 20% of our territory is illegally occupied, we continue to move forward, grow and work to ensure that our children live in a better, stronger and more dignified Georgia.” Kobakhidze did not mention Russia in his speech. Then he addressed the people living in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region: “All our steps are aimed at helping our people and one day we, together with our children, can live together in a happy, united and developed Georgia.”

Abkhazia's de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs succinctly responded to Kobakhidze's speech: “Once again we heard repeated rhetoric from the leadership of Georgia, in the same mythical terms. We believe that if the leadership of Georgia continues with the same attitude, we will not be able to achieve positive results in terms of overcoming the past. We again call on Georgia to sign the legally binding document on the non-use of force and recognize the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state.”

The Tskhinvali region also commented on Kobakhidze's speech. According to the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Unfortunately, official Tbilisi’s position in relation to South Ossetia and Abkhazia has not changed radically. Appealing to non-existent terminology and facts, rhetoric that is far from reality, indicates that the past remains with Georgia and Georgian politicians. The position of South Ossetia is known and it has been voiced many times in recent years. The signing of the legally binding document on the non-use of force by Georgia is again of key importance.”

Sergey Lavrov's Statement and Occupied Regions’ Responses

On September 28, at a summary press conference of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sergey Lavrov, responded to the statements of Ivanishvili and Kobakhidze. According to him, “the current leadership of Georgia just appreciates the past, they said that “we want historical reconciliation” and in what form this reconciliation can take place, the “countries” themselves must decide: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They are neighbors of Georgia, and certain contacts are still inevitable, if there is an interest from all sides to normalize these relations by ensuring agreements on non-aggression, we will be ready to assist.”

Abkhazia's de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not comment on Lavrov's statement and published only an excerpt from his speech on its website. The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region made a short comment: “Russia's position towards South Ossetia has remained unchanged since August 2008. Russian partners support the negotiation process in the format of the Geneva International Discussions and reaching an agreement between Georgia and South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including the signing of the agreement on the non-use of force. As for the future development of relations with neighboring Georgia, South Ossetia's opinion on this issue is known and has been voiced many times. We proceed from the fact that South Ossetia has the status of a recognized country.”

Kakha Kaladze's Statement and Occupied Regions’ Responses

On September 29, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the General Secretary of Georgian Dream, Kakha Kaladze, stated that the Georgian Dream government “positively” assesses Sergey Lavrov's statement. “[Lavrov's] statement is positive, the fact that they will contribute to the reconciliation process is positive. However, at the same time, effective steps should be taken,” Kaladze said. “There are Russian bases in Abkhazia. At least, let's start talking about the creation of an action plan in order to de-occupy and withdraw the troops,” he added.  

“I reiterate that the government of Georgia will do everything to restore trust among each of our Ossetian and Abkhaz brothers and sisters, and only through peace and mutual forgiveness is it possible to restore territorial integrity and live together,” Kakha Kaladze said.

Abkhazia's de facto Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response to Kaladze's comment, saying that the Georgian government should first “establish diplomatic relations” with Russia instead of talking about “mythical concepts” such as Georgia's territorial integrity. The Abkhaz side emphasized the importance of its “strategic cooperation” with Russia, including the agreements concluded with Russia on the joint protection of the Russian military base and the occupation line of Abkhazia. “As for the possibility of the establishment of any kind of relations with Georgia as a neighboring state, our position remains unchanged. Georgia must recognize the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state and sign the legally binding document on the non-use of force,” the Foreign Ministry of the occupied region said in the statement.

Meanwhile, on September 30, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, congratulated Aslan Bzhania on “Victory and Independence Day” and emphasized the “strategic partnership” between the occupied region and Russia. On September 30, the occupied Abkhazia celebrated the 31st anniversary of “Victory and Independence Day.” On September 30, 1993, the Armed Forces of Georgia left the territory of Abkhazia, and the Abkhaz separatists, with the support of the Russian Armed Forces and North Caucasian volunteers, established complete control over the territory of Abkhazia (except for the Kodori Valley).