‘Protest’ Vandalism Sparks Public Outcry in Sukhum

SUKHUM / AQW'A — Overnight, protest graffiti appeared outside the presidential administration building in Sukhum, expressing public discontent with the policies of the Abkhazian authorities. Messages such as 'traitors of the people' were painted near the entrance of the presidential office. Additionally, the nearby monument dedicated to the Mukhadzhirs (exiles) on the Sukhum embankment was partially defaced with red paint.

Beslan Eshba, head of the Sukhum administration, confirmed that the incidents took place at approximately 3 a.m. on 4 November. 'Special services, including the Department of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service, have been involved,' Eshba stated, noting that video footage of the incidents exists.

The presidential press service condemned the acts as 'heinous', highlighting that 'opposition-linked Telegram channels reported on the offensive graffiti targeting the country's leadership outside the Presidential Administration building, but remained silent about the vandalism directed at the monument.'

Opposition groups quickly contested this narrative. A coalition of political and civic organisations, including the Republican Political Party 'Forum of National Unity of Abkhazia' (FNEA) and others, released a statement suggesting that the incidents might be a 'deliberate provocation'. They emphasised that opposition outlets were the first to denounce the defacement:

'We consider this act absolutely unacceptable and strongly condemn the use of monuments for political purposes. This is particularly significant given that this monument commemorates tragic events in our history, and its defacement cannot be justified by any motive.

Given the current public mistrust towards the authorities, we have reason to believe that this act may be a deliberate provocation. It is notable that pro-government Telegram channels are actively disseminating this information, accusing the opposition of vandalism, whereas opposition outlets were the first to denounce such actions.

We demand that the authorities conduct an immediate investigation to identify and punish those responsible for defacing the Mukhadzhirs Monument. The act was committed under video surveillance, making it more than possible to find those responsible.

Should the authorities fail to identify the perpetrators, we will consider this as a populist attempt to discredit the opposition and manipulate public opinion.'

Public figure Omar Smyr questioned the authorities' response priorities: 'Your true attitude towards what happened is evident from the fact that the main effort of the cleanup teams wasn't directed at removing the inscriptions at the Mukhadzhirs Monument, but was first focused on erasing those near the presidential administration.'

Leuan Mikaa offered a broader perspective, stating, 'Despite justified outrage towards the current authorities, such heritage deserves respect. Those who today compromise Abkhazia's sovereignty have long "desecrated" every monument in our country with their policies.'

Law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation, with opposition groups urging the swift identification of those responsible through available surveillance footage. They warned that failure to find the perpetrators would be seen as 'a populist attempt to discredit the opposition and manipulate public opinion.'

These incidents come amid heightened political tensions in Abkhazia, adding further strain to the relationship between the authorities and the public.