Parliamentary candidate’s car burnt down in Abkhazia

Parliamentary candidate Batal Aiba’s car burnt down in the centre of Sukhum in the evening of March 16, adding to speculation ahead of a planned series of election runoffs in Abkhazia. The investigation is said to be looking at two versions of what may have caused the incident – arson and spontaneous combustion.

Prosecutor Ruslan Tyrkba said: “The fire started in the engine compartment of the car. The scene of the incident has been examined, and all the evidence has been collected that is necessary for determining what really happened – arson or combustion.”

Blogger Akhra Smyr who is Batal Aiba’s electioneering agent has taken to Facebook to warn the public against jumping to conclusions.

• Batal Aiba made it through to the second round in the parliamentary election held on Sunday, March 11. His rival in the runoff for one of Sukhum’s single-seat constituencies is Erik Rshtuni.

The opinions expressed in this report convey the author’s views and terminologies and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial staff