Abkhazia Refuses Russia's Request to Extradite Opposition Figures Facing Robbery Accusations

Abkhazian President Badra Gunba has refused to hand over three opposition members to Russia. Russia has started a criminal case against them, accusing them of armed robbery. The president made it clear that Abkhazia would not hand over any of its citizens to a foreign country. He explained that Abkhazian citizens should be investigated and tried in Abkhazian courts under local law.

This firm position comes after an incident in early November. Abkhazian MP Kan Kvarchia and two other opposition members, Eshsou Kakalya and Khyna Dumaa (all from the Aidgylara public group), were involved. Just before local elections, the group raided an office in Abkhazia where Russian political strategists (Ivan Reva, Pavel Timofeev, and Dmitry Budykin) were supposedly working illegally for candidates supporting the government.

Conflict and Claims

The opposition activists confronted the Russian consultants about their unregistered political work, which included hiring people to destroy opposition campaign posters. One consultant, Ivan Reva, admitted to illegal campaigning. The activists turned the consultants over to Abkhazia’s State Security Service (SGB) and asked for an investigation, but got no response.

Instead of being investigated in Abkhazia, the Russian political consultants were quickly sent back to Russia. They then filed a complaint, saying that the opposition figures had attacked them and stolen about 1.9 million rubles (around $24,000). The Sochi Department of Internal Affairs in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai started a criminal investigation into the three Abkhazians for armed robbery and put them on a wanted list, threatening to involve Interpol.

Local and Global Views

A day before President Gunba's announcement, Abkhazia’s Attorney General Adgur Agrba also supported the policy of not extraditing citizens.

The accused opposition figures held a press conference, calling the Russian charges political persecution to silence them. They said their goal was to get Abkhazian police to investigate the consultants’ illegal actions, which they said included paying money to minors. The opposition leaders also saw the criminal case in Russia as disrespectful to the Abkhazian government and President Gunba.

Many people in Abkhazia see the whole situation as Russia interfering in Abkhazia’s politics. President Gunba’s defense of the opposition figures is viewed in that context. Some think it was also an attempt to ease political tension and avoid criticism before an opposition party meeting.