Russian Candidate Rejected, New Chief Prosecutor Approved in Tskhinvali

Russian-occupied Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia’s parliament approved today Magomed Bagaev as the chief prosecutor.

Bibilov submitted Bagaev’s candidacy to the post on May 11, after the lawmakers unanimously turned down on April 13 the previous nominee Vitaly Savchenko, a Russian prosecutor. Legislators had argued there were “enough” local specialists suited for the post not to resort to inviting a candidate from abroad.

Appointed for a five-year term, Bagaev previously served as the deputy chief prosecutor and has worked on various posts throughout the past 18 years at the office. “I have been here all the time, everyone knows me,” Tkshinvali-based RES news agency cited him as saying.

Previous prosecution chief, Uruzmag Jagaev left the post in April after his term expired. Jagaev’s tenure had proved controversial, as the death of inmate Inal Jabiev allegedly at the hands of police in late August 2020 spurred sizeable protests in Tskhinvali, demanding Jagaev’s resignation among others. Bibilov’s refusal to dismiss Jagaev then led to a months-long legislative crisis, after opposition lawmakers launched a boycott, only to return to their seats in March 2021 after Russian involvement.

Also read:

• New Tskhinvali ‘Prime Minister’ Appointed
• Deceased Inmate’s Brother Arrested in Tskhinvali
• Crisis Looms in Tskhinvali as Bibilov Visits Moscow
• Tskhinvali Leader Dismisses Government
• Georgian Reconciliation Ministry on Inmate’s Death in Tskhinvali

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