EU Denounces Abkhazia’s Dropping Charges against Killer of Georgian Citizen

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Georgia has released a statement regarding the recent decision of De facto Abkhazian authorities - to stop persecution of Rashid Kanji-Oghli, the Abkhaz citizen and former border guard who gunned down a Georgian citizen, Giga Otkhozoria in 2016.

“The decision by the de facto Abkhaz authorities to drop charges against the suspect of the killing of a Georgian civilian on 19 May 2016 at the Khurcha-Nabakevi crossing point on the Administrative Boundary Line with the breakaway region of Abkhazia prevents justice taking its rightful course,” the statement reads.

The EU Delegation to Georgia also says that the step disregards a full year of intensive work, including the handing over of investigation materials at the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meetings. 

“Impunity of serious crime negatively impacts perceptions of security on the ground. Work on this case and other issues related to security on the ground must continue,” the statement reads.

The puppet regime of Abkhazia informed the representatives of the State Security Service of Georgia of their decision at the 46th meeting of the IPRM on May 31, 2017.

“This decision is extremely negative and cynical and Georgia will press this issue not only at Gali IPRM meetings, but at higher international meetings as well,” the Georgian side stressed.

Kanji-Oghli, 30, killed Otkhozoria, 31, on Georgian-controlled territory near the administrative boundary line with Abkhazia. The Georgian man was shot six times, including once in the head. He was rushed to hospital but died soon after. He left behind a wife and two children. 

By Thea Morrison