Arshba* linked the recognition as a foreign agent to the actions of Abkhaz officials.

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Abkhaz journalist Nizfa Arshba* admitted that her inclusion in the Ministry of Justice of Russia's foreign agents registry did not affect her work and is related to the actions of Abkhaz officials during Aslan Bzhaniya's time. Arshba* expressed confusion regarding the fine, stating that she was not even notified about the court hearing.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in March 2025, two Abkhaz journalists - editor-in-chief of "Nuzhnaya Gazeta" Izida Chania* and editor-in-chief of the agency "Aiaashara" Nizfa Arshba* - were included in the Ministry of Justice of Russia's foreign agents registry. In early October of this year, a court in North Ossetia fined Arshba* for publications on social media without marking as a foreign agent, while the journalist stated that she had never lived in Russia and did not have Russian citizenship. Earlier, another Abkhaz journalist Inal Khashig* was also included in the foreign agents registry.

Abkhaz journalist Nizfa Arshba* told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" on October 12 that she does not yet know for which publications she was fined, as the court protocol has not been published online. "It is very strange why Vladikavkaz was chosen for the court - I have not lived there, I was only there once twenty years ago for a seminar organized by the republican association of journalists. Moreover, the court stated that they notified me, but I received no notification," she noted.

The journalist also mentioned that she has appealed her inclusion in the foreign agents list. "I have already gone through three instances. There is one left, but I will probably lose that one too. But in general, I am only a citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia, and therefore Russian jurisdiction does not apply to me," she noted.

Arshba* stated that her recognition as a foreign agent did not affect her work in any way. "It has not affected my work and activities at all. I continue to work and write. One could even say that the number of my sources among representatives of the authorities has increased," she emphasized.

I do not think that before this, Russian officials were even aware of the existence of journalist Arshba*

The journalist stated that, according to her information, her designation as a foreign agent was a result of complaints from Abkhaz officials dissatisfied with her activities. "My opinion has not changed. I believe that the initial source of the situation with the foreign agent designation was the statements of Abkhaz officials - former president Aslan Bzhaniya, Minister of Foreign Affairs Inal Ardzinba, head of the SGB Dmitry Kuchuberiya, and his first deputy Zaal Khvartskiy. However, there are a few more people - these are SGB employees who tried to gather compromising material on me for the sake of titles (it should be noted that most SGB employees refused such assignments), but I will not disclose their names for now. I do not think that before this, Russian officials were even aware of the existence of journalist Arshba,*" she noted.

The journalist indignantly noted that this "compromising material" that sparked interest in Russia was a statement that she allegedly collaborates with Georgia. "They linked me to a state with which we do not have a peace treaty," she emphasized. According to her, Bzhaniya generally sought to close access for journalists to the authorities, in particular, by closing their access to parliament.

Arshba* noted that after being declared a foreign agent, she has not received any threats. "In Abkhazia, journalism is different. We all know each other here. Therefore, intimidating journalists is a very rare occurrence," she emphasized.

Only a few people remain who still try to convey the truth to the population of the republic

At the same time, according to the journalist, the overall situation in the media market is quite bleak. "95% are controlled by pro-government and government media, only a few people remain who still try to convey the truth to the population of the republic," she noted.

In response to a question about whether her publications played a role in Ardzinba's resignation from the ministerial post, Arshba* ironically noted that she would like to think that he left because of her publications. "But one must be realistic. He left because of other scandals," she emphasized.

Speaking about the current situation, Arshba* noted that not much has changed. "The current president (Badra Gunba - note from the "Caucasian Knot") was vice president under Bzhaniya, the vice president (Beslan Bigvava - note from the "Caucasian Knot") was the head of his native Ochamchira district under Bzhaniya. But at least the bans from Bzhaniya's time have been lifted," she concluded.

The situation of journalists in Abkhazia has improved

An expert on Abkhazia, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that each of the three Abkhaz journalists declared foreign agents in Russia - Nizfa Arshba*, Izida Chania*, and Inal Khashig* "to some extent criticized a series of decisions related to political concessions to the Kremlin".

"Chania* and Arshba* did this most sharply. The fact that they ended up on the list of foreign agents and the deprivation of Russian citizenship was, of course, of interest in Abkhazia; it is a joint decision - an initiative from the Abkhaz side, formalized, of course, by the Russian side," he told the correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".

The expert stated that Khashig* is difficult to call an opposition journalist. "Although "Chegemskaya Pravda" does not cover events from pro-government positions, it is quite objective journalism and often rather neutral," he noted.

Now Nizfa Arshba* largely maintains this connection with the opposition

According to him, Chania* and Arshba* can be called opposition journalists, as they interacted more with the opposition, promoting opposition viewpoints on their information platforms. "Now Nizfa Arshba* largely maintains this connection with the opposition, not with all of it, mainly with "Aidgylara," whose leader is Kan Kvarchiya. The level of criticism on the "Aiaashara" resource has not changed, but has become more reactive, so to speak. The authorities under Gunba give fewer reasons for criticism and do not behave aggressively towards the opposition, at least towards "FNEA" and "Aruaa," as it was under Bzhaniya. Criticism has become more targeted. "Nuzhnaya" ("Nuzhnaya Gazeta," edited by Chania* - note from the "Caucasian Knot") has become less active, this is noticeable," he noted.

Speaking about the problems of journalists during Bzhaniya's presidency, the expert noted that all the problems of journalists during that period arose from their critical stance towards the authorities. "This is quite obvious. The authorities, with their indifference to state foundations and their clumsiness, constantly gave many reasons for criticism. Bzhaniya is a person from the KGB/SGB, and this was very felt in the authorities' reaction to any criticism. In his desire to establish authoritarianism, to subdue not only journalists and the opposition but also the active part of society, the youth, he found support from curators. Looking back after the change of curators, one understands what the style of this curatorship was, that it relied on repressive factors," he stated.

Touching on the issue of the authorities' sharp reaction to the publication of "Aiaashara" about alleged personnel purges in the SGB, the expert noted that this was caused by the fact that the publication questioned the picture of monolithism promoted by the authorities. "The authorities tried to demonstrate such a 'monolithism', making it clear that criticism comes only from 'former' officials who use any pretext to organize another 'revolution' and regain power. Therefore, this internal unrest (in the SGB) spoiled this picture, and journalists' awareness of the moods within the leading body tasked with pressuring dissenters is a rather unpleasant situation for the authorities," he emphasized.

Overall, this did not save the authorities

The expert also noted that Russian authorities were interested in the persecution of journalists. "Firstly, journalistic activity hindered the promotion of issues in which the Russian side was more interested. They can be very conditionally called internal; Bzhaniya's entire agenda was built on issues that had a bilateral nature. I think both sides perceived these publications equally as a threat to their interests. Promoting his agenda, Bzhaniya relied on the loyalty of the Kremlin and support for the next term; I think his plans extended even further. Secondly, the fact that sanction mechanisms were applied by the Russian side allowed the Abkhaz side to wash its hands, not exposing itself to danger, since Bzhaniya did not have enough strength for harsh authoritarianism. And there was no need to fear a reaction from society or the opposition. But overall, this did not save the authorities," he stated.

Speaking about the situation under the current authorities in Abkhazia, the expert noted that, compared to Bzhaniya's times, the situation of journalists has improved. "It has definitely become calmer to work; the unbalanced style of Bzhaniya's rule has been replaced by complete calm, and the agenda is dominated solely by 'development'. Bzhaniya and Gunba were not like-minded people, so there is no continuity in the latter's policy. But journalistic criticism remains, and now threats are more likely to come from Russia," he concluded.

* included in the registry of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice of Russia.

** the activities of the company Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.