Moscow Backs Abashidze, Slams “Extremist” Forces in Adjara
In the wake of Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s visit to Moscow, Russian foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 20 expressing concern regarding “deterioration of the situation in and around the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.”
“The attempts by extremist-minded forces in Georgia, in particular from the organization Kmara [Enough – youth movement demanding Abashidze’s resignation], to cause tensions in Adjara are extremely dangerous and fraught with a destabilization of the situation in the country as a whole,” the statement reads.
The Kmara movement has recently launched anti-Abashidze campaign in Adjara, disseminating banners with slogans “Enough to Abashidze’s Dictatorship.” As a result several activist of the Kmara were arrested by the Adjarian police on January 6 and released after ten-day detention.
“Provocative actions may lead to the most serious consequences and are playing into the hands of only those who are not interested in the development of Georgia along the road of democracy and legality. All the questions pertaining to relations between Tbilisi and Batumi should be tackled within the constitutional framework, through a political dialogue,” the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement reads.
Recently Aslan Abashidze visited Moscow and held talks with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin. Aslan Abashidze said upon his arrival from Moscow on January 18 that economic issues were discussed during the talks in Russia. However, many political analysts in Georgia suppose that Abashidze tried to receive backing from Moscow.
