Levan Mgaloblishvili: No so-called elections held in occupied territories can be fair

Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Levan Mgaloblishvili, has addressed the international community regarding the so-called elections taking place in occupied Abkhazia.

According to Mgaloblishvili, the so-called elections in the occupied territory of Abkhazia represent yet another unsuccessful attempt by
the Russian Federation to legitimize its illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing, and de facto annexation.

“Elections held under an occupation regime are illegitimate and, in accordance with all norms and principles of international law, constitute an illegal act against Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

No so-called election conducted in an occupied territory can be fair while the Georgian population remains forcibly displaced due to ethnic cleansing, and while ethnic Abkhazians who remain in the region continue to face constant pressure from the Russian Federation for decades. We call on the participants of the Geneva International Discussions, as well as our partner countries, to strongly condemn this act.

Our main goal is to continue negotiations to ensure the unconditional and peaceful return of our temporarily displaced population to Abkhazia and to restore our centuries-old unity with the Abkhazians within a united state.

The Government of Abkhazia urges the international community, which recognizes Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, to appropriately assess and condemn this unlawful act,” stated Levan Mgaloblishvili.