Russia launches criminal case against three Abkhaz opposition figures, including MP

Criminal case against Abkhaz opposition figures

Russia has opened a criminal case against three Abkhaz opposition figures, including Abkhaz parliament member Kan Kvarciya. They are accused of “robbery against three Russian citizens aged 25, 42, and 45, committed on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia.”

The official reports do not name the Russian victims, but it is widely believed that they are political consultants Ivan Reva, Pavel Timofeev, and Dmitry Budykin, who were allegedly working illegally for pro-government candidates during the recent municipal elections in Abkhazia.

Russian political strategists secretly worked for pro-presidential candidates in Abkhazia

One ran a “local” newspaper and was smearing opponents, the other secretly worked at the Election Commission. The opposition exposed them, but the “consultants” were simply expelled from Abkhazia

A few days before the election, a group of opposition activists led by MP Kan Kvarciya raided an office in central Sukhum where the Russian political consultants were working.

Under persistent questioning, Ivan Reva admitted to essentially illegal campaign activities and also that he had hired people to tear down the election posters of other candidates.

A few hours later, the activists handed all three political consultants over to Abkhazia’s State Security Service (SGB) and demanded a full investigation. However, the SGB took no action, and the consultants were quickly sent back to Russia.

Once there, they claimed they had been attacked by Abkhaz opposition figures, who allegedly seized around two million roubles from them.

Opinion: 'Vandalism and security threats: Which laws did Russian political operatives break in Abkhazia?'

A group of Russian political consultants worked illegally for pro-government candidates in local elections.

“During the investigation of the criminal case, the verified involvement of Kan Valeryevich Kvarciya, Eshsow Ivanovich Kakalya, and Khyna Vladimirovich Dumaa in the alleged crime has been established. They have been placed on the federal wanted list, and in accordance with agreements between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on legal assistance in criminal matters, the competent authorities of Abkhazia have been notified through intergovernmental law enforcement channels,” the official statement from the press service of the Investigative Committee in Sochi reads.

Abkhaz opposition media and social networks blame the republic’s government for the situation.

“All direct responsibility lies with President Badre Gunba, who is completely controlled from outside and allowed violations of election law in Abkhazia,” the Telegram channel Respublika said.

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Criminal case against Abkhaz opposition figures