Putin Congratulates Aslan Bzhania on Winning So-called Presidential Elections
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Aslan Bzhania on winning the so-called presidential elections held in Abkhazia.
Opposition leader Aslan Bzhania is leading the so-called presidential elections in Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia, as he gained 56.85% of votes, while Adgur Ardzinba received 35,42% and Leonid Dziapshpa - 2,22%.
"The convincing victory in an election held in an environment of free choice is the result of your supreme authority among your compatriots," reads the congratulatory message.
In addition, the Russian President expressed readiness to "work together with Bzhania to strengthen the alliance between Russia and Abkhazia."
On March 22, the de facto presidential elections were held in occupied Abkhazia, following a court ruling which announced the previous “presidential elections” held in the occupied region on September 8, 2019, illegitimate and ruled to call for repeat “elections”.
On March 22, the de facto presidential elections were held in Georgia’s occupied region, Abkhazia. Various officials, international organizations and members of the international community soon responded to the polls and declared them illegitimate.
European Union made a statement in which it claimed it does not recognize the legality in which the so-called “elections” in the breakaway region of Abkhazia took place.
"The European Union supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, as recognized by international law. With regard to the so-called presidential elections that took place in the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia on 22 March 2020, we recall that the European Union does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework in which they took place.
"The EU will continue to pursue its policy of non-recognition and engagement. The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia remain fully mobilized in this regard," the EU said in its statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia once again reiterated full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
“The sham elections held in Abkhazia today violate international law. It should be seen as part of Russia’s intensifying hybrid and influence activities against Georgia, which include a significant deterioration of the situation on the administrative line of control of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, cyberattacks against Georgia and intensified disinformation campaigns,” Foreign Minister Reinsalu said.
OSCE group of friends of Georgia - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, made a joint statement that they “do not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called 'presidential elections' held in Georgia’s Abkhazia region on March 22, 2020”.
The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai has echoed the so-called presidential elections in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia.
James Appathurai said:” NATO does not recognize the so-called elections which took place yesterday in the Georgian region of Abkhazia. The Alliance continues to support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders.”
Georgia’s occupied region Abkhazia held repeat elections as the ruling court announced the previous “presidential elections,” held on September 8, 2019, illegitimate.
