Former de facto Abkhazian President Bzhania announces candidacy for upcoming ‘snap elections’

Aslan Bzhania, the former de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia, has confirmed his intention to run in the anticipated ‘snap elections.’ Speaking to Russian state media outlet TASS, Bzhania stated, “I will certainly participate in Abkhazia’s political life. My team will take part in the elections, and I will nominate my candidacy.”

Bzhania, who resigned from his post earlier this week, is reportedly outside of Abkhazia. “I am not in Abkhazia at the moment. I am in Moscow for a few days,” he told TASS.

Bzhania’s resignation was formalized on November 19 and it came in the aftermath of opposition-led protests that culminated in the occupation of the “government complex” in Sokhumi. The unrest, sparked by widespread opposition to a Russia-Abkhazia investment agreement, escalated on November 15 when demonstrators dismantled a fence around the complex and seized the “parliament” and “presidential administration” buildings.

In response to the protests, the de facto administration decided to revoke the controversial investment agreement.