This week, debates over alleged Russian citizenship revocations for opposition figures and reports of violence in Gagra fuel political tensions. The CEC has set debate schedules and warned against unauthorised surveys ahead of the 15 February election.
Acting President Valery Bganba implemented measures to stabilise the energy sector and paused contentious government policies. Meanwhile, foreign trade rose to 57.1 billion roubles in 2024, and social benefits increased by 50% in 2025.
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Allegations of Russian citizenship revocation for two prominent opposition figures, Leuan Mikaa and Kan Kvarchia, have ignited widespread debate. While official confirmation remains absent, discussions have intensified following reports in Russian and local media, including Kremlin-linked outlets such as RT and the Telegram channel “Rybar.”
Leuan Mikaa, a veteran, political activist, is alleged to have had his Russian citizenship revoked due to his staunch pro-Abkhaz stance. Mikaa played a key role in the November 2024 protests that led to the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania and the announcement of early presidential elections. He has been outspoken against legislative initiatives such as the controversial “apartment law” and the Russian-Abkhazian “investment” agreement.
Kan Kvarchia, a parliamentarian and opposition member, was also reportedly stripped of Russian citizenship. Speculation arose after a December 2024 statement by Russia’s Migration Department referenced the revocation of citizenship for a 50-year-old Abkhazian-born individual for actions threatening national security. Local sources suggested this individual might be Kvarchia, though no official confirmation has been provided.
The acting President of Abkhazia, Valery Bganba, has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate these reports.
Critics argue that the alleged revocations reflect a broader effort to suppress opposition voices in Abkhazia. The situation has raised questions about the criteria used for revoking Russian citizenship and the potential implications for other opposition figures, including presidential candidate Adgur Ardzinba.
Yuri Khagush, head of the Gagra District Administration, has been accused of assaulting Mikhail Golovin, a campaigner for opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba.
Reports claim Khagush, accompanied by armed guards, confronted Golovin, demanded he stop campaigning, and struck him after confirming his support for Ardzinba. Golovin later refuted his father’s public denial of the incident, stating he was pressured to retract his allegations.
Khagush has taken leave, with Adamur Tsishba temporarily assuming his duties. Campaign teams condemned the incident as undermining public trust in the electoral process, while citizens gathered outside the Gagra administration building to demand Khagush’s resignation. An investigation has been requested by the administration.
Presidential candidate Robert Arshba has condemned the assault on a campaigner for opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba in Gagra. Arshba criticised the recurring use of violence in Abkhazia’s politics, blaming it for deepening instability during elections. He highlighted the public’s lack of trust in law enforcement and the misuse of state resources, which he says have degraded institutions and harmed citizens.
Calling for an impartial investigation, Arshba stressed the need for accountability to restore trust in state institutions and ensure stability.
Acting President Valery Bganba has temporarily halted several controversial government decisions this week, including a moratorium on electricity tariff increases, effective from 1 January. Citing critically low payment collection rates, Bganba enacted the measure via presidential decree after parliament failed to address the issue.
Bganba also imposed a temporary ban on the sale, transfer, and decommissioning of state-owned vehicles, citing concerns over misuse by officials. Additionally, he established a commission to review customs tariffs introduced by the previous administration, with proposals expected by 27 January.
However, as Bganba’s interim presidency is temporary, the permanence of these changes depends on the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
Meanwhile, Valery Bganba has ordered a financial and technical audit of Chernomorenergo [State-owned energy company] to boost Abkhazia's energy security. The directives include valuing energy assets, adding unrecorded state-owned infrastructure to the company’s balance sheet, and addressing illegal transformers.
The Ministry of Energy and Transport will oversee the process, with funding provided by Chernomorenergo. Responsibility lies with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Jansukh Nanba and Director General Timur Dzhindzholia.
The VTsIOM poll ahead of Abkhazia's 15 February presidential election, showing ruling party candidate Badra Gunba leading with 32%, has drawn criticism over its transparency and methodology. The Central Election Commission (CEC) condemned the poll, stating it violated Abkhazian laws and was not coordinated with the State Committee on Statistics.
The CEC also warned citizens against participating in unauthorised phone surveys amid reports of unsolicited calls asking about voter preferences. These calls, described as intrusive, sparked public outrage and concerns over potential interference and data breaches.
The Central Election Commission of Abkhazia has approved the schedule for televised debates and press events ahead of the 15 February presidential election.
Televised debates will take place from 3 to 7 February.
A press conference with presidential candidates and media representatives is scheduled for 31 January.
Vice-presidential debates are set for 8 February.
Presidential debates will follow on 11 February.
The CEC also expects 60–70 international observers to monitor the election.
Public figure Tengiz Dzhopua has emphasised the need for constitutional reform to streamline the political process and improve citizens' lives. Speaking to ApsnyHabar, Dzhopua highlighted that the reform aims to enhance socio-economic stability, attract investment, and strengthen accountability across all branches of government.
“Accountability means better roads, hospitals, schools, and fairer distribution of resources,” Dzhopua stated. He also argued for limiting presidential powers, pointing out the lack of mechanisms to hold the president accountable or remove them from office if necessary. “As it stands, we are forced to endure five years of a presidency we may not support, pushing society to act outside the legal framework,” he said.
Presidential candidate Badra Gunba declared during a public meeting that “there can be no relations with Georgia until they sign a non-use of force agreement.”
Following this statement, D News commented on the need for Gunba to clarify his position regarding former President Aslan Bzhania’s decision to legalise trade with Georgia and the secret transport of a Georgian political delegation bringing an icon into Abkhazia.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Abkhazia faces criticism for allegedly purchasing saplings from Georgia, a move condemned by the veteran organisation Aruaa. According to Aruaa, these purchases, costing 42 million roubles ($430,000) over two years, represent “supporting Georgian farmers using the state budget of Abkhazia.”
Aruaa also criticised broader policy decisions by former President Aslan Bzhania, who in 2023 lifted a long-standing trade ban with Georgia and opened customs borders to various Georgian goods. (The trade ban with Georgia was introduced during the presidency of the late Sergey Bagapsh, second president of Abkhazia.)
However, some have questioned the timing of Aruaa’s criticisms, pointing out that the organisation has remained silent on other issues, such as car imports and shadow trade at the border. Critics note that the shadow economy benefits many, as it avoids state taxation, and argue that economic interactions with Georgia, particularly in the Gal region, often have a humanitarian dimension.
The controversy highlights differing opinions in Abkhazia about trade with Georgia, with political motivations and broader economic considerations at play.
The Abkhaz Tour Guides Union will meet with all presidential candidates on 1 February 2025 in Sukhum. The meeting aims to address key tourism industry concerns and hear candidates’ plans for resolving them.
The Telegram channel OKNO has criticised outlets such as Sputnik Abkhazia and Sputnik Near Abroad for spreading narratives about "destructive" NGOs and alleged foreign interference in Abkhazia's electoral process.
OKNO claimed these publications were a response to criticism of so-called pseudo-sociologists and labelled the accusations as disinformation. The narratives included claims of Western-funded NGOs inciting protests, opposition leaders with Turkish ties, and Khara Khpitsunda (Our Pitsunda) movement, as a protest hub among youth.
OKNO also noted that Sputnik Abkhazia has recently disabled comments on its content, possibly to avoid backlash. It called the materials targeting Abkhaz civil and political figures grounds for criminal investigation, though such action under the previous administration would have been unlikely.
The channel argued that certain external media outlets mimic local platforms to dominate the information landscape, exploiting the state’s unpreparedness to counter such tactics.
+ The Sputnik Sham: How Propaganda Undermines Abkhazian NGOs (Jan 2024)
+ 'Sputnik Abkhazia' Again Targets Abkhazian NGOs (Sept 2024)
Kakha Muradov, a citizen of Abkhazia, has been sentenced to 15 years in a high-security penal colony by the Supreme Court of Abkhazia for high treason and illegal possession of firearms.
Arrested in May 2024, Muradov was found guilty of transmitting classified information to Georgian intelligence, compromising Abkhazia’s security. He also maintained ties with former commanders of the Gagra Battalion and members of the terrorist group Mkhedrioni.
Since the start of the fishing season, over 1,200 tonnes of anchovy have been caught in Abkhazia, according to the State Committee for Ecology. The total catch stands at 1,218 tonnes out of a 25,000-tonne quota.
Social benefits for pregnancy and childbirth in Abkhazia have increased by 50% in 2025, rising from 20,192 roubles ($202) last year to 30,300 roubles ($303) this year. Temporary disability benefits have also been raised by 7,000 roubles, now amounting to 22,670 roubles ($227) as of 1 January.
Abkhazia’s foreign trade volume reached 57.1 billion roubles ($571 million) in 2024, up 16.5% from 2023, the State Customs Committee reports. Imports rose 15% to 48.1 billion roubles ($481 million), while exports increased by 23% to 9 billion roubles ($90 million) compared to the previous year.
“We are an independent country! We are a free people! We live in our own land! We will do everything to ensure the prosperity and preservation of our statehood. These principles, which have become increasingly rare today, must be instilled from an early age.”
— Alkhas Dzhindzhal, candidate for Vice President.