Blogger from Georgia’s Russian-controlled Abkhazia Daur Buava found dead in Tbilisi apartment

Abkhazian blogger Daur Buava was found dead in a residential apartment in Tbilisi. The cause of death is currently unknown, although he is believed to have been dead for several days.

According to unofficial information, a “terrible smell” was noticed in the building, prompting neighbors to call a rescue team.

Rescuers reportedly found Buava dead upon entering the apartment.

The investigation has been launched under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, concerning incitement to suicide.

Buava became known through TikTok, where he advocated reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between Georgians and Abkhazians. 

He moved from the Russian-occupied Abkhazia to Georgian-controlled territory in 2021 and subsequently settled in Tbilisi.

In December 2022, he received Georgian citizenship through a simplified procedure.

Buava openly challenged the dominant narrative in Abkhazia about Georgians. In his videos, he argued that Georgians and Abkhazians were not enemies and promoted reconciliation. He also spoke positively about what he experienced after coming to Georgia.

Because of these positions, the de facto Abkhaz authorities accused him of high treason in 2022. The charges were brought in absentia. The Abkhaz security service alleged that his videos promoted Abkhazia's integration with Georgia and harmed Abkhazia's sovereignty and security.

The charges were particularly serious - under the de facto Abkhaz criminal code, the alleged offense carried 10-15 years' imprisonment or capital punishment.

Buava also co-founded a youth organisation called Amra (“sun” in Abkhaz). The organisation was focused on young people and connections involving Abkhaz society.