In Sukhumi, opponents of Minister of Internal Affairs gather despite authorities’ ban

More than 1000 people gathered in the capital of Abkhazia to protest against the reinstatement of Dmitry Dbar as Minister of Internal Affairs. The protesters ignored the refusal of the Sukhumi Mayoralty to approve the rally.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the United Council of War Veterans of Abkhazia has announced holding today a rally with the demand of the resignation of Minister of Internal Affairs Dmitry Dbar. The protest has been announced after the President of Abkhazia had decided to restore the top-ranking law enforcer in office. The Mayoralty of Sukhumi refused to sanction the rally with reference to coronavirus restrictions.

According to organizers of the protest action, more than 1000 people, including war veterans, young people, and oppositionists, gathered for the rally.

The city is actually under martial law, war veteran Akhra Bzhaniya claims. He says that since yesterday, the complex of government buildings has been cordoned off by law enforcers, the embankment has been blocked, and the military forces have been accumulated near the presidential palace.

According to Akhra Bzhaniya, the president’s decision to reinstate Dmitry Dbar as the Minister of Internal Affairs aggravated the already difficult socio-political situation in Abkhazia.

War veteran Valery Maan harshly assessed the president’s actions. “After the appointment of Dmitry Dbar, we do not have a leader of state, and we do not have a commander-in-chief. Aslan Bzhaniya became the executioner of the people, having gathered such people in the power structures," Valery Maan said.

The country’s leaders missed the chance for dialogue, which exacerbated the already tense situation, notes economist Akhra Aristava, a former presidential administration official.