Tbilisi Warns about Destabilization in Abkhazia on Elections Day

Newly appointed Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhazian government-in-exile Irakli Alasania said on October 2 that supporters of Abkhaz presidential candidates may provoke tensions in the predominately Georgian population in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia and then accuse the Georgian side of organizing destabilization actions there.
 
“We want to declare openly that the Georgian authorities do not intend to organize any provocations in Abkhazia. However, any pressure on the Georgian population during the presidential elections [on October 3] will have an adequate reaction from Tbilisi,” Irakli Alasania told the Tbilisi-based Imedi television on October 2.

Visiting Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava also told reporters in Moscow that a destabilization of the situation is anticipated in Abkhazia on election day.