Tourism industry turmoil: Minister Khishba steps down. | Gagra, Abkhazia.
Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab met with representatives of the professional community of guides and tour operators in Abkhazia. Operators were informed that the government is not considering changes to the current Tourism Law. Last week, Abkhaz tour operators expressed concern about potential job losses if Russian guides are allowed to work legally in Abkhazia.
Adgur Ardzinbadiscussed tourism industry issues with Minister Teymuraz Khishba. Ardzinba stated that the Abkhaz People's Movement opposes the violation of local tour guides' rights and the illegal activities of foreign guides who mislead visitors. Minister Khishba expressed solidarity with this stance, assuring that the Ministry will continue to defend citizens' interests and operate strictly according to Abkhazian law.
According to Akhra Aristava, the guides' community is sounding the alarm because the Abkhaz leadership's plan to lift restrictions on Russian guides working in Abkhazia will affect everyone. Aristava noted that this also eases work for Russian companies and citizens in Abkhazia. However, he pointed out that Russia maintains strict work restrictions on Abkhazian citizens, making this a one-sided arrangement.
On 21 June 2024, a meeting was held between the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Abkhazia, Teimuraz Khishba, and representatives of the unified tourism community. Minister Khishba announced that he had submitted his resignation due to the emerging situation in the sector. He also expressed his support for the current Tourism Law, which prohibits foreign guides from conducting tours in the Republic of Abkhazia.
The representatives of the unified tourism community shared this view and disagreed with the Minister's resignation, as he had adhered to the existing law in his activities. Khishba has previously initiated numerous raids to combat illegal tour activities by foreign citizens in Abkhazia. The situation remains tense.
Officer Mancho Kyakhba of the first division of the Sukhum police was reported to have beaten a detainee [video], while other officers watched like spectators in a cinema. The extent of the victim's injuries is unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia stated the incident occurred in February this year. Minister Robert Kiut ordered an investigation and strict measures, including potential criminal charges. One officer was dismissed, and others received disciplinary actions. The division chief was also disciplined for inadequate supervision.
The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Abkhazia has ordered a procedural investigation following the circulation of a video online showing police officers using violence against a detainee.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzinstated that Georgia's relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia will normalise once Tbilisi accepts current realities. He emphasized that normalisation will occur when Georgia builds relations with the republics based on equality, mutual respect, and consideration of interests.
Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation.
Galuzin highlighted the importance of signing non-use of force guarantees and resolving border issues. These topics are regularly discussed at the Geneva International Discussions on South Caucasus security. He called for intensifying these discussions, noting that Abkhazians and South Ossetians are ready for dialogue.
The total volume of the Russian Investment Program for the socio-economic development of Abkhazia for 2023-2025 is 3.4 billion rubles ($38M). According to Timur Agrba, head of Abkhazia's Capital Construction Department, the main goals of the program are to address infrastructure limitations. The program includes 38 projects: 22 for major road repairs, 3 energy projects, 9 for water supply and sewage system upgrades, construction of a children's hospital, and completion of a solid waste landfill. Agrba also listed several projects that are nearing completion or already finished.
Abkhazia won its first gold medal at the BRICS Games. Boxer German Ardzeniya triumphed over his opponent from Uzbekistan in the tournament final. Ardzeniya competes in the 60-kilogram weight category.
Tarash Khagba, Chairman of the State Committee for Youth and Sports, expressed his gratitude and hopes after Abkhaz boxer German Ardzeniya's gold medal victory.
“We have long dreamed of hearing the Abkhaz national anthem on the international sports stage. Today, it will happen. A huge thanks to all the sports officials, our country's leadership, and everyone who supported sports development in Abkhazia. We hope to be part of the larger sports world and family,” Khagba noted.
The Abkhaz team now has one gold, one silver, and five bronze medals, ranking 12th out of 90 countries in the medal tally.
“The issue of citizenship is directly linked to our security,” says Dmitry Marshan, a member of the Abkhazian Parliament, discussingamendments to the “Law on Citizenship.” The new legislation extends the residency requirement for citizenship from 10 to 25 years, excluding those living in Abkhazia since 12 October 1999 (the day of the declaration of independence of Abkhazia). Ethnic Circassians will retain the 10-year residency requirement. The amendments also include a formal citizenship oath in Abkhaz and Russian, and a new quota system allowing expedited citizenship for up to 30 individuals per year with special merits or valuable qualifications.
Several months ago, the Ministry of Taxes and Levies blocked the accounts of one of Abkhazia's most reputable NGOs, the Centre for Humanitarian Programs. In an interview with ApsnyHabar, the organisation's lawyer, Said Gezerdaa, stated that a lawsuit has been filed in the Arbitration Court against the illegal actions of the tax department.
Asida Shakryl, former Human Rights Commissioner of Abkhazia and board member of the Centre for Humanitarian Programs, has addressed anopen letter to President Aslan Bzhania. According to the civil society resource “OKNO,” the letter highlights the ongoing harassment of civil society by state structures. Shakryl demands an end to the discreditation of NGOs and the persecution of citizens who openly criticise the government's policies.
A unified system for state information resources and databases is set for completion in Abkhazia by December 2025. Roland Berulava, head of the State Committee for Communications, reported to Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab that the data processing center and its infrastructure are nearly ready. This system will introduce a "one-stop-shop" for government services. An Abkhaz company is developing the centre, overseen by a working group from both executive and legislative bodies.
Former Minister of Taxes and Levies Daur Kurmaziaemphasised that the goal of the Abkhaz state is to protect and develop the unique Apsuara culture, preserve the land, language, and people of Abkhazia. He warned disappearance. Kurmazia stressed the importance of demographics and reuniting the people on their historical homeland. He also highlighted that the principles of Abkhaz culture could become a model for the coexistence of free people in the future amidst global disorder.
Reconstruction of the runway at Abkhazia's airport is ongoing. President Aslan Bzhania visited the airport near Babushara village and held a working meeting on site. Restoration work continues at Abkhazia's only airport. The airport is scheduled to open by the end of this year. Future direct flights will connect Sukhum with several Russian cities, easing the burden on Sochi's airport and increasing the flow of Russian tourists to Abkhazian resorts.
Damei Kuchuberia and Aslan Dzhindzholia
The Ashana Cultural and Charitable Foundation is raising funds for Aslan Dzhindzholia and Damei Kuchuberia, two cheerful and sociable children suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta, a severe condition causing brittle bones and frequent fractures. Previous surgeries and treatments in Moscow have shown excellent results, with Damei able to stand and walk with assistance, and Aslan's bone density improving. To maintain these gains, they need another rehabilitation course at GMS Clinic in Moscow, costing 1 million rubles ($11,500). Their families can no longer afford the treatment and are seeking support.
On 17 June 1988, a group of Abkhaz intellectuals anonymously submitted a document, later known as the "Abkhaz(ian) Letter" or "The Letter of Sixty," to the Presidium of the XIX Party Conference in Moscow. This privately printed, 87-page document, accompanied by signatures on twelve additional pages, called for the establishment of a party-government commission to address Abkhazia's status and the Abkhaz people's right to self-determination.
In this letter, the authors requested the establishment of a party-government commission to study and justly resolve the issue of Abkhazia's direct subordination to central authorities. The letter particularly emphasised that the Abkhaz people have an inalienable right to self-determination.
Despite concessions made in 1978, the letter noted that autonomy remained essentially fictional, with all important decisions being made in Tbilisi to benefit local Georgians, especially concerning land tenure. Therefore, the authors of the document stated that “the act of including the SSR of Abkhazia into the SSR of Georgia, followed by its transformation in 1931 into the Abkhaz ASSR, was an act of violating the national rights of the Abkhaz people.”
