Bagapsh, Khajimba’s Supporters Rally in Sokhumi

Two simultaneous rallies by supporters of the two main Abkhaz presidential rivals Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba are being held in the breakaway region’s capital Sokhumi on November 12, Russian news agencies report.

Around 700 supporters of the pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba, who demands repeat elections, gathered outside the Abkhaz governmental office, while up to 3,000 supporters of the opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh, who claims victory in the October 3 elections, are gathered on Freedom Square, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

Reports say that the rallies are being held in a calm atmosphere under the supervision of local police.

Russian NTV television reported that both Khajimba and Bagapsh announced that they do not intend to make any compromises.

The Press Office of the Abkhaz de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba issued an appeal to Abkhaz people on November 11, in which the outgoing President insists on holding repeat presidential elections in the breakaway region.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister of breakaway region Sergey Shamba, who has also ran during the October 3 presidential elections, also called for re-vote, RIA Novosti reported. Shamba proposed to set up an anti-crisis center with the participation of all the parties in an attempt to overcome the current standoff.

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