Security measures strengthened in Abkhazia

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia urged supporters of the ruling power and oppositionists "to act strictly within the bounds of the law."

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 21 participants of the extraordinary congress of the oppositional "Amtsakhara" Party expressed distrust to President Raul Khajimba and demanded his immediate resignation. Khajimba said that he would not resign until the end of his term of office.

In the opinion of Isida Chaniya, the editor-in-chief of the Abkhazian "Needed Newspaper", the actions in Sukhumi and statements of the president and the opposition may trigger a new crisis in the republic. As stated by Alkhaz Kvitsiniya, Acting Chairman of the "Amtsakhara", there would no overthrow of the ruling government.

Leonid Dzapshba, the Interior Minister of Abkhazia, appealed to citizens by television on air with a request to "remain calm and act during the protest actions strictly within the bounds of the law," said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Abkhazia.

According to his story, as of October 22, "no clashes among supporters of the president and oppositionists were fixed," but "the MIA staff has transferred into the enhanced mode of service."

The claims of the opposition to the current power are groundless, said Vladimir Zantariya, an adviser to the president. According to his version, another crisis "can only harm the country."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.