Is Defending Abkhazia’s Interests a Threat to Russia’s Security?
Kan Kvarchia (left) and Leuan Mikaa during a press conference in Sukhum.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — At the Aiashara platform, Leuan Mikaa, Hero of Abkhazia, former MP, and Chairman of the Sovereignty Protection Committee, alongside Kan Kvarchia, recipient of the Order of Leon, MP, and Chairman of the NGO Aidgylara, shared their views on reports claiming their Russian citizenship has been revoked.
“It seems that being a patriot, loving your people, and defending their interests is now interpreted as a threat to Russia’s national security. I deeply regret that some officials in Russia view it this way,” said MP Kan Kvarchia.
The speakers stressed that this issue is not limited to war veterans or politicians but impacts all Abkhazian citizens.
“They want to break us, to force us into submission. But disagreeing with them does not make us enemies of Russia. By revoking our Russian citizenship, they are barring us from entering the country that serves as Abkhazia’s sole link to the outside world. In effect, they are isolating us. This is deeply troubling and could lead to serious consequences,” Kvarchia warned.
Abkhazia’s state institutions have remained unresponsive. [Former] Acting President Badra Gunba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Acting President Valery Bganba have yet to issue comments. Parliament Speaker Lasha Ashuba privately expressed concern, but no formal reaction has been made by the Parliament, the speakers noted.
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“Some of my fellow MPs attempted to meet with the Russian Ambassador to Abkhazia (Mikhail Shurgalin), but he dismissed them, saying, ‘You are not at my level for me to meet with you,’” Kvarchia revealed.
Leuan Mikaa attributed the situation to the policies of former President Aslan Bzhania, calling them the root cause of current tensions. “If you look at social media, there is an evident rise in negative sentiment toward Abkhazia. But this originates with the former president, who exploited Russian-related issues to solve domestic political problems. His tactics relied solely on slander,” Mikaa explained.
Both Mikaa and Kvarchia called on presidential and vice-presidential candidates to address this issue publicly. According to them, such action would demonstrate the candidates’ readiness to defend the rights and interests of Abkhazian citizens.