Two female journalists accuse Bzhaniya's supporters of attack

On March 3, the journalists, Izida Chania and Olga Djonua, were attacked during a protest action held outside the government building of Abkhazia. The Union of Journalists of Abkhazia (UJA) has called on law enforcement bodies to start an inquiry into the incident.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the electoral offices of all three presidential candidates in Abkhazia suspended campaigning after hospitalization of Aslan Bzhaniya, the opposition leader. On March 3, about 400 people held an action outside the building of the Cabinet of Ministers (Government), demanding to postpone the election scheduled for March 22, and resignation of the govt and the acting president of Abkhazia.

The UJA has condemned the attack on the journalists, Izida Chania and Olga Djonua, and urges to punish those responsible. "The UJA condemns such actions and calls on law enforcement bodies to objectively and promptly investigate the facts of violating the journalists' rights and impeding the professional activities of media workers," the "Apsny Press" quoted, in the evening on March 3, the UJA's statement.

According to Izida Chania, on March 3, protesters did not let her and her daughter, Olga Djonua, enter the building of the Cabinet of Ministers. Protesters explained their actions by the fact that Chania did not support their action. Ms Chania said that she was hit in the face, and Djonua was pushed out of the building; and the girl dropped her photo camera and phone.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 4, 2020 at 10:56 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.