In Abkhazia, opposition refuses to take part in referendum

In Abkhazia, the block of opposition forces has announced the refusal to take part in the referendum to be held on July 10. The referendum will put forward the question on the need of the early presidential elections to be held in the republic.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 5, in Sukhumi, mass riots took place after the rally organized by the former ruling "Amtsakhara" Party. The opposition demanded to postpone the referendum to a later date; however, Abkhazian President Raul Khadjimba refused the oppositionists in their demand.

The opposition explains its decision not to participate in the referendum by the lack of "conditions for free expression of the will of the people and the inability to carry out explanatory and campaigning activities" of the opposition, the "Interfax" reports.

"We have to state that the President of Abkhazia has ignored our proposals, and we refuse to take part in the referendum, which, in essence, has become a political show. We also declare that we do not accept any outcome of the voting," announce the oppositionists in their document. And they continue: "We were waiting for the President's response to our demand to postpone the referendum to a later date. Today, the President has made a statement and rejected the demand."

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