Tensions Rising in Breakaway Abkhazia as Presidential Candidate Supposedly Poisoned

Protests broke out in occupied Abkhazia as hundreds of demonstrators loyal to the opposition leader Aslan Bzhania demanded the resignation of the alleged interim president.

Supporters of Abkhazia’s professed presidential candidate broke into the administrative building of the quasi cabinet of ministers. The demonstrators reached the third floor, where acting President Valeria Bganba held a meeting with them.

Abkhaz media reports that the protesters request the resignation of the interim "president," as well as a number of officials in the cabinet, law enforcement agents and the heads of the so-called election commission.

Demonstrators state that "the country's authorities hinder the conducting of a fair election campaign," and demand a parliamentary governing body be created before the elections take place.

Abkhaz media states that the protesters believe Aslan Bzhania was once again poisoned.

The pseudo presidential candidate of occupied Abkhazia, Bzhania, was transmitted to Sochi hospital with ‘signs of poisoning’. The ‘Ministry of Abkhazia’ officially stated that the opposition leader is suffering from polysegmental pneumonia. The statement came after Bzhania was relocated to Krasnodar Hospital where he is receiving serious medical attention.   

Correspondingly, Bzhania's HQ office says they have nothing to do with the rallies.

The self-styled elections in which Bzhania intended to partake, are scheduled for March 22.

By B.Alexishvili