All Recently Detained Opposition Figures Released
All recently detained opposition figures in Abkhazia have been released. Intense protests and road blockades prompted authorities to free them after public demands grew.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — Following intense public protests and widespread calls for justice, authorities in Abkhazia have released all opposition figures detained earlier this week. The individuals, Omar Smyr, Garry Kokaya, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Ramaz Dzhopua, and Aslan Gvaramia, were initially taken into custody on 11 November over alleged “unlawful actions” directed at parliamentary deputy Almas Akaba. However, charges were swiftly dismissed in court due to “lack of evidence of an administrative offence.”
The detentions triggered immediate backlash, with supporters blocking key entry points into the capital, Sukhum, particularly the vital Gumista Bridge. Under mounting pressure, the authorities opened negotiations with protest leaders, ultimately agreeing to release the detainees in exchange for clearing the bridges and restoring traffic.
Today, Sukhum’s city court officially halted proceedings against Kokaya, Ardzinba, and Dzhopua, citing insufficient grounds for the alleged “petty hooliganism” charge. No formal charges were brought against Smyr or Gvaramia, whose cases were never submitted to the court. The court’s decision has relieved some of the tension, though questions about the legitimacy of the arrests persist.
Former MP Tengiz Agrba, detained on 9 November and whose release was also a key demand of the protests, was freed today as well. The protests and road blockades had placed significant strain on Abkhazia’s security forces, prompting officials to re-evaluate the detentions. During negotiations, Sokrat Dzhinzholia, a member of the Public Chamber, assured protesters that authorities were prepared to release all detained opposition members if the blockades were lifted.
An extended session of the Defence and National Security Committee of the Abkhazian Parliament convened on 12 November to address the detentions, with Deputy Prosecutor General Damir Kvitsinia and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Beslan Chkadua providing details. Chkadua explained that on 11 November, a group of individuals had allegedly engaged in verbal abuse and disruptive conduct toward MP Almas Akaba outside the parliament building, which led to their arrest under Article 166 of the Abkhazian Administrative Code — a charge of “petty hooliganism.” The court, however, found no grounds to pursue these allegations.
See also:
+ Public Outcry Grows in Abkhazia with Opposition Detentions
+ Detentions Spark Protests Amid Rising Tensions in Abkhazia
Earlier, President Aslan Bzhania, addressing the nation, portrayed the detentions as essential to maintaining order, citing "unlawful actions" by the opposition leaders and calling for "calm and restraint" among citizens. "The Republic of Abkhazia is equipped with the necessary resources to ensure security and uphold the rule of law," he stated, dismissing claims of heavy-handedness as "exaggerations intended to provoke unrest." However, his reassurances appear to have done little to stem the outcry.
The detentions have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba rebuked the administration’s approach, stating, “Our colleagues, patriots, and respected figures are being treated like criminals for merely opposing government policies. This is not governance; it is an attempt to instill fear.” Such sentiments are echoed by Hero of Abkhazia Vianor Ashba, who accused the government of "selling the land our forefathers defended."
Despite the release of all detained individuals, public scrutiny remains high as Abkhazia faces ongoing civil unrest over what many see as a crackdown on political dissent.
Journalist Inal Khashig sharply criticised the government, stating, "With the staged video of opposition figures being pinned ‘face down on the pavement,’ the authorities seemingly intended to intimidate the discontented masses. Yet the effect was quite the opposite — a mass brawl erupted at the Kodor Bridge. The inability to assess situations and craft an effective strategy has become a hallmark of Aslan Bzhania’s team. The president’s statement, ‘there is no one to talk to there,’ eagerly echoed by certain security officials, is a completely dead-end approach. And, above all, it’s a dead end for President Aslan Bzhania himself."
"The entire academic and creative community opposed the adoption of these laws. Go to the villages and ask, the people are against it. Zurab Achba once said that if a self-serving and power-hungry person comes to power, and then operates within the law solely for their own interests, our Constitution is structured in such a way that it would be impossible to oppose them legally. Today, we have exactly such a person, and as a society, we are powerless to change this. What we are witnessing now is the result of that helplessness, because we cannot, and will not, accept what is happening. With a president like this, our darkest days are still ahead."
— Vitaly Gabnia, Former Vice President of Abkhazia (2014–2018)
"Power blinds; it can drive a person to madness. And when a person harbours resentment while wielding absolute power, it inevitably leads to tragedy. Today, we haven’t reached that point, but the primary responsibility for the situation lies with the president and his associates, who are pushing fraudulent schemes through parliament, as well as with the reckless security forces breaking the law. There is an unsettling sense that those in charge of our country spend too much time away from Abkhazia and have completely lost touch with the psyche of their own people. The Abkhaz can be deceived, and they have been, time and again, but they are unlikely to be intimidated by enforcers wielding clubs and guns. No one relying on money and brute force has ever earned respect in Abkhazia. It seems, however, that today’s leaders are not particularly interested in earning respect, believing instead that everyone can either be bought or intimidated. But that’s not true. And no one, even behind the tallest fences, should forget who they are and where they come from. Underestimating one’s own people is a grave mistake. I hope this situation will be resolved soon, and that the hostages will be freed. Yet today, we must consider what lies ahead. How many more people critical of the authorities will be imprisoned under false pretences in the future? Will we be able to feel safe in a police state? To me, the answer is clear."
— Dmitry Mushba: The Responsibility Lies Primarily with the President and His Associates
Adgur Ardzinba announced that a meeting with parliamentary deputies from Sukhum and the Sukhum district will take place —on Wednesday, 13 November— at 17:00 in the Atrium Victoria Hotel conference hall. The main topic of discussion will be the “investment agreement.”