Residents of South Ossetia criticize Kokoity's presidential ambitions

Under the presidency of Eduard Kokoity, South Ossetia saw plundering of the financial help provided by Russia and violations of voters' rights; therefore, his desire to once again head the republic is unreasonably, said the South-Ossetians interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". Moscow will not support Kokoity, said a source from the presidential administration.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that South Ossetia is preparing for its presidential election scheduled for March 2017.

According to Tayira Gagloeva, a member of the People's Party of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity has stated said that "the major point is to preserve the independence of South Ossetia and strengthen the allied relations with the Russian Federation."

Akhsar Kochiev, the former General Public Prosecutor of the Republic, has noticed that during Kokoity's presidency, "human rights were violated throughout the republic."

He added that the Central Election Commission (CEC) of South Ossetia "should not register Kokoity as a presidential candidate for president, because he fails to meet the residency criterion."

At the same time, according to Mr Kochiev, "Kokoity's presidency was the dirtiest page in the history of South Ossetia."

During Kokoity's presidency, "officials appeared in his team, who actively plundered the Russia's financial help; and it had blurred his reputation," said Emma Gagieva, a resident of Tskhinvali.

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