Prominent Figures Condemn Border Detentions, Point Finger at President

A statement has been issued by various influential figures, including veterans, politicians, and public personalities from Abkhazia, expressing their deep concerns over this pattern of detentions.

SUKHUM / AQW'A —  In recent times, there has been a concerning trend at the Psou checkpoint where Russian border guards are detaining prominent opposition figures from Abkhazia. Individuals are held for several hours without any clear justification, sparking significant unrest and criticism. In response to these events, a statement has been issued by various influential figures, including veterans, politicians, and public personalities from Abkhazia, expressing their deep concerns over this pattern of detentions.

The statement addresses the broader implications of these actions on the relationship between Abkhazia and Russia, and calls for immediate action to resolve these issues.

The full text of the statement and the list of signatories are presented below:

The campaign to exert pressure on our citizens is orchestrated by the president, who promoting initiatives that undermine the state.

The Russian Federation's agreements on friendship and cooperation were made not with Aslan Bzhania individually, but with the Republic of Abkhazia. This obligates Russia to respect the constitutional rights of Abkhazian citizens, especially their freedom of expression and political pluralism, which we hold in high regard.

We have recently witnessed systematic pressure on Abkhazian citizens at the Russian-Abkhazian border on the Psou River. They are either detained for hours without reason or interrogated about their personal views and civic positions. This affects not only ordinary citizens but also independent journalists and public figures. In January 2024 alone, figures such as Eleonora Giloyan of Abaza-TV, Hero of Abkhazia and opposition politician Leuan Mikaa, filmmaker Ibragim Chkadua, and representatives from the "ҲараҲПицунда" (Our Pitsunda) organisation faced such detainment. These actions against Abkhazia's citizens are both unfriendly and unwarranted.

We believe that the Abkhazian leadership, particularly the President, is responsible for this campaign, as they continue to champion anti-state initiatives across various sectors.

Given the unpopularity of their policies and lacking internal measures to counteract public actions, the Abkhazian government appears to be exerting pressure on its own people through Russian special services, falsely portraying them as harbouring 'anti-Russian' sentiments. This approach is destructive, potentially escalating civil unrest and creating unnecessary tension between the friendly nations of Russia and Abkhazia.

The Russian news agency Interfax featured a report covering a call to action by the Abkhaz opposition.

“Оппозиция Абхазии призвала Россию отрегулировать процесс пересечения границы”

Leuan Mikaa Condemns Bzhania's NKVD-Style Tactics Against Opponents

SUKHUM / AQW'A — In a fervent press conference on January 31st, Leuan Mikaa, accompanied by his associates, vocally criticised President Aslan Bzhania for employing repressive tactics reminiscent of the NKVD's historical oppression against political adversaries. Mikaa drew historical parallels, citing the case of Nestor Lakoba, who was labeled an agent, assassinated, followed by a significant resettlement. He suggested that President Bzhania is repeating these patterns using similar methods.

Highlighting a disturbing trend of arbitrary detentions at the Psou checkpoint, Mikaa's narrative painted a grim picture of the current political climate in Abkhazia.

Mikaa, a celebrated Hero of Abkhazia, recounted his personal ordeal of being detained twice by Russian border guards without clear justification, incidents he firmly believes were politically motivated. These detentions, he argued, were orchestrated at the behest of the Abkhazian leadership as a means to stifle opposition voices. He noted that the extended three-hour conversation did not bring him "discomfort."

"I seized the opportunity to share my perspective, clarifying for the Russians our opposition to the 'apartment law.' I delved into the history of the “Abkhazpereselenstroi” (“Abkhazia Resettlement Construction” - A special organisation set up in 1937 to build housing for new Georgian settlers. —Ed.), detailing how the Abkhaz population was intentionally reduced from 80% to 17%, and discussed the objectives of the national liberation movement. I emphasised that it is the inherent right of any nation to allow its citizens to develop their economy, culture, language, and traditions," Mikaa further explained.

Leuan Mikaa revealed that the Russians openly acknowledged the detentions were conducted at the behest of the president and other Abkhazian authorities.

"It's evident that our national leadership portrays our activities as anti-Russian. Such positioning by our president and his advisors, who choose to compile lists of individuals to be targeted rather than championing Abkhazia's interests, is unmistakably anti-Abkhazian and anti-state in nature. This represents a subversive action by our authorities," Leuan Mikaa asserted.

Mikaa described the president's conduct as "an attack on sovereignty," stating, "Aslan Bzhania, in catering to the interests of oligarchs and international businesses, primarily serves his self-interest. Such policies by the president are leading to Abkhazia's international isolation, causing immense harm to our statehood." He called for unity among all societal and political groups, condemning the government's trajectory towards diminishing Abkhazia's independence and initiating "a widespread campaign against civil society." Mikaa firmly declared, "This anti-Abkhaz action by the authorities must be halted."

Further aggravating the political landscape, Mikaa shed light on the systemic abuse of power by the state apparatus, which he claims is skewed to serve the interests of a select few, commodifying national assets at the expense of the public good. 

Иҭабуп Бжьаниа! | Thank you Bzhania!

Abkhazian centenarians once paraded with a banner saying, "Thank you, Comrade Stalin, for our happy childhood."

The security agents blocked their entry to the square, saying irritably:

- Have you seniors lost your minds? Stalin wasn't even born when you were children.

To which the elders calmly responded:

- And exactly for that, we are indeed grateful to him.