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The News in Brief

Tuesday, August 28
Tskhinvali, Sokhumi Leaders Visit Russia, Meet Vladimir Putin

Anatoly Bibilov and Raul Khajimba, Moscow-backed leaders of Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and Abkhazia, respectively, met today with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and discussed the deepening of ties.

The Russian President told Bibilov that Moscow is “sparing no efforts to ensure security of the Republic of South Ossetia, [and] support [it] economically.”

“It was after coercing (Georgia) to peace and after recognition of the Republic of South Ossetia, that the South Ossetian people started to live in a different format – the format of stability, peace, and prosperity,” Bibilov stated.

The meeting is held to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Moscow’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, 2008.

The Tskhinvali leader awarded Putin with a “state decoration” for his “outstanding personal role in repelling Georgia’s armed aggression against the Republic of South Ossetia” and for strengthening its sovereignty.

At the meeting with Abkhaz leader, Vladimir Putin called the anniversary “historic,” and underscored that relations between Moscow and Sokhumi during the last ten years “have strengthened.”

On his part, Khajimba called Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia an “embodiment of the centuries-old dream of our people,” and expressed hope that today’s meeting would further enhance their cooperation.

The meeting comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Georgia, during which she expressed support to the country’s territorial integrity, and noted that what is happening in Georgia “is an injustice” and termed it an “occupation.”
(Civil.ge)



Sokhumi regime vice president resigns, declares vendetta to punish the offender

Vice president of breakaway Abkhazia had stepped down after an incident when he was hit by the glass to his head, saying that plans to retaliate in “Abkhazian spirit.”

“I consider it’s necessary to resign because I can not defend my right and my honor even on such a high office. I have such an opportunity to act only in Abkhazian spirit; thus I need to step down,” Vitali Gabnia, Abkhazia’s de facto vice president, said.

The incident occurred last week during a meeting with the unidentified individuals when one of them, according to Gabnia, approached him from behind and hit with a glass of water to his head.

Vice president claims he wasn't able to defend his honor by legal means and has to resign to punish the offender himself. Although it was not reported exactly what kind of retaliation Gabnia meant, it relates to some kind of physical confrontation.

Vitali Gabnia, 50, was appointed in 2014.
(DF watch)