Aamta Fund Denounces Media Manipulation and Citizenship Revocations in Abkhazia

SUKHUM / AQW’A — The Aamta Expert Fund has issued a strong statement condemning the rise of anti-Abkhaz narratives in Russian media and in some segments of Abkhaz media, as well as on anonymous Telegram channels.

The Fund expressed concern over accusations of anti-Russian sentiments in Abkhazia, labelling them baseless and harmful. It also criticised the revocation of Russian citizenship from respected Abkhaz figures, including war veterans and public leaders, describing such actions as unjust and counterproductive.

In its appeal, the Fund urged the Abkhaz leadership to protect citizens' rights and called on presidential candidates to publicly address the issue. Highlighting the importance of Abkhazia's alliance with Russia, the Fund warned against manipulations that could strain relations and foster unnecessary tensions.

The full statement follows below.

Statement by the "Aamta" Expert Fund

For some time now, an unhealthy discourse has been emerging in the media of Abkhazia and Russia, as well as on anonymous Telegram channels linked to the Abkhazian authorities. This discourse claims the existence of so-called anti-Russian forces in Abkhazia allegedly working to undermine the allied relationship between the two nations.

This narrative has been promoted by former President [Aslan] Bzhania and some of his associates to present themselves in Moscow as exclusive supporters of Russia. This positioning has been used as a means to implement commercial projects in Abkhazia that are widely rejected by significant segments of our society.

Unfortunately, this rhetoric has been picked up by certain Russian media outlets and public figures, who have advanced the narrative of "Abkhaz ingratitude" and suggested that Abkhazia is seeking closer ties with Russia’s geopolitical rivals. Members of the opposition in Abkhazia have been indiscriminately accused of subversive activities and branded as agents and enemies of Russia.

We cannot rule out that there are individuals in both Abkhazia and Russia with a vested interest in artificially escalating tensions. By doing so, they create problems they can then claim to combat fiercely, thereby securing various benefits and privileges for themselves.

These manipulations have reached a dangerous point, fuelling anti-Abkhaz sentiments among the Russian public while leaving Abkhaz society bewildered by the absurd accusations, which bear no relation to reality. To solidify this "success," reports have surfaced in the media about the revocation of Russian citizenship from several respected and well-known Abkhaz citizens.

The first to come under attack are veterans of the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia:

• • Tayfun Ardzinba, recipient of the Order of Leon, a two-term member of the Abkhaz Parliament, and a prominent figure from the Turkish-Abkhaz diaspora. Ardzinba has been instrumental in fostering economic ties between Abkhazia and Russia.
  • Kan Kvarchia, recipient of the Order of Leon and a long-serving member of Parliament, has made significant contributions to the development of Abkhaz-Russian treaties and alliances.
  • Leuan Mikaa, Hero of Abkhazia, former MP, politician, public figure, and director of the Abkhaz Language Development Fund. Mikaa has always publicly advocated for allied relations with Russia. He is also the grandson and worthy successor of the renowned Abkhaz poet and writer Bagrat Shinkuba.

Abkhazia is a state under Russia’s patronage. The development and security of our nation are guaranteed exclusively through its alliance with Russia. There are no individuals in our country seeking to undermine Abkhaz-Russian relations, as this would endanger the very existence of our people and state. There is no need to reiterate the obvious: Abkhazia neither desires nor is capable of turning away from Russia.

Abkhazia has done everything in its power to ensure Russia’s southern borders are secure, providing land for Russian military bases free of charge. Our country is not a dependent entity but, within its capacity, acts as a regional ally to Russia.

We believe it is time to end the baseless discussions in the media about alleged anti-Russian sentiments. We sincerely hope that Russian representatives will refrain from making hasty decisions and imposing sanctions against Abkhaz citizens who have done no harm to either Russia or Abkhaz-Russian relations.

We call on the leadership of Abkhazia to defend the rights of Abkhaz citizens.

We urge the presidential candidates of the Republic of Abkhazia to publicly state their position on the unjustified sanctions against Abkhaz citizens discussed in the media. The role of the head of state involves protecting the constitutional rights of citizens, and presidential candidates now have the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for this crucial mission.

— Aamta Expert Fund

Recently, the Telegram channel OKNO criticised outlets like Sputnik Abkhazia for spreading disinformation about "destructive" NGOs and alleged foreign interference in Abkhazia. OKNO argued that these narratives aim to discredit opposition figures and mislead the public.

In recent weeks, social media channels aligned with former President Bzhania and pro-government candidate Badra Gunba have circulated fake documents targeting opposition figures. This appears to be a deliberate strategy to manipulate public opinion and gain an advantage in the electoral process, raising broader concerns about misinformation and media manipulation in Abkhazia's political landscape.