Former de facto President of Abkhazia, Bzhania, confirms presence in Moscow following ‘resignation’

Aslan Bzhania, the former de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia, has confirmed he is currently in Moscow, speaking to the Russian state-controlled outlet Tass. “I am not in Abkhazia at the moment, I am in Moscow for a few days,” he said.

Bzhania’s resignation comes 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. Bzhania reportedly sought refuge in his native village of Tamishi before formally notifying the “parliament” of his resignation on November 19.

The de facto vice-president, Badri Gunba, has temporarily assumed leadership following Bzhania’s departure. The political unrest has also forced the cancellation of a de facto parliamentary session intended to vote on ratifying the investment agreement with Moscow.