Georgian Minister Says Moscow Benefits from Abkhaz Elections

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava described the election results in Abkhazia as ?a victory of Moscow.?

?Statements that Sergey Bagapsh has won the elections are not true. Moscow has won these elections? Moscow, actually, is usurping power in Sokhumi, which means annexation, and now it is very difficult to predict how the process will develop there,? Goga Khaindrava told reporters on January 13.

According to early official results of the January 12 presidential election, Sergey Bagapsh received more than 90% of the votes. The CEC will confirm the final results of the elections at a session on January 14, Interfax news agency reported.

After taking the President?s office, Sergey Bagapsh will have to share power with Raul Khajimba, who was Bagapsh?s main presidential rival in last year?s elections.  That election, which took place on October 3, was followed by a two-month crisis in the region.