Abkhazian Diaspora in Türkiye Faces Blocked Elections and Intimidation

SAKARYA, TÜRKİYE — The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Abkhazia has officially announced the closure of the polling station in Sakarya, Türkiye, which was set up for Abkhazian citizens residing in the country to cast their votes in the 15 February 2025 presidential elections. The decision follows mounting pressure from Turkish authorities, raising concerns over political interference and restrictions on democratic participation within the Abkhaz diaspora.

According to an official statement from the Abkhazian CEC, the closure was based on a request from İbrahim Avidzba, the Plenipotentiary Representative of Abkhazia in Türkiye, who cited the impossibility of opening a polling station for the elections. The commission subsequently dissolved the local electoral committee assigned to oversee the process in Sakarya.

The decision to block the polling station has been widely criticised, with many pointing to direct pressure from Turkish authorities. The Federation of Abkhaz Associations (AbhazFed), which had arranged the election process in Türkiye, reported that they had been contacted by the Sakarya Police Department on 11 February, informing them that the event would not be allowed due to a written directive from the Ministry of Interior.

Despite requesting official documentation stating the legal basis for the ban, AbhazFed was denied a written explanation. Instead, they were told that the prohibition would be announced via the governorate’s website.

Following this, AbhazFed sent an official letter (see the attached letter) to the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, formally inquiring which law the diaspora elections allegedly violated. The letter referenced the federation’s own charter, which explicitly states that one of its purposes is to facilitate the participation of Abkhaz citizens residing in Türkiye in Abkhazia’s presidential and parliamentary elections. AbhazFed argued that the planned election activities were fully in line with its legally recognised objectives and requested a clear legal justification for the ministry’s opposition to the voting process.

In response, the Ministry rejected the request but failed to provide any legal basis for its decision. Instead, they issued only a brief reply stating:

"The opinion provided has been issued in accordance with the assessment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding our country's strategic partnerships and diplomatic relations with regional countries."

Police Threats and Intimidation

For the elections, a hotel owned by an Abkhaz was organised as the polling venue through the coordination of AbhazFed.

However, Muhammet Emin Tokcan, the owner of the hotel where the voting was scheduled to take place also came under significant pressure. In a video statement, he revealed that the General Manager of the hotel was summoned by the police and openly threatened. Authorities warned:

"We will surround your hotel, search every room one by one, and we will never allow such an election to take place.

Despite this, the hotel owner remained defiant, stating that his doors would remain open on 15 February, regardless of the threats. His bold stance has been widely praised within the Abkhaz diaspora.

***

"Officials from the Federation of Abkhaz Associations reached out to me, requesting permission to use the conference hall of my hotel to host the election. As an Abkhaz myself, I immediately agreed, saying, "Of course, you are more than welcome." I did not ask for any fee or compensation in return.

However, shortly after, the General Manager of my hotel was summoned by the Turkish police and openly threatened. They warned:

"We will surround your hotel, search every room one by one, and we will never allow such an election to take place."

And why?

Because Türkiye has trade relations with Georgia, and they do not want those ties to be affected."

Alright then—but what about the Abkhaz people in Türkiye? Who are we? Do we not exist? What is our place in this country?"

***

"On 15 February, my doors will remain open. Anyone who wants to attack, destroy, or break things is free to do so, I don’t care. Everyone knows that I place no value on material possessions. But let me tell you this: everyone will be received as they come."

— Muhammet Tokcan

A Contradiction in Turkish Policy?

One of the most debated aspects of this situation is whether there is a legal basis for Türkiye to block diaspora voting for the Abkhazian presidential elections. While Turkish authorities have taken measures to halt the elections, legal precedents suggest that there is no explicit restriction under Turkish law against such a process.

During Abkhazia’s 2014 presidential elections, a polling station was set up in Istanbul, but the voting was disrupted by police intervention. Ballot boxes had been prepared at Abkhazia’s Representative Office in Kadıköy, Istanbul, but as voting was underway, police arrived to halt the proceedings. At the time, Engin Özkoç, a Sakarya MP from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and of Abkhaz descent, tried to prevent the authorities from seizing the ballot boxes.

This intervention led to a legal challenge, and the matter was taken to court. The Istanbul Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of Peace ruled on 24 August 2014 (Decision No. 2014/614 D.İş), stating:

"Law No. 298 on the Basic Provisions of Elections regulates elections conducted within Türkiye and related electoral offences. A review of the law indicates that holding discussions regarding elections conducted in an unrecognised country, such as Abkhazia, does not constitute a crime."

The ruling also overturned a prior court decision that authorised searches and the seizure of ballot boxes, stating:

"Article 116 of the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) stipulates that searches and seizures may only be conducted in connection with a committed crime or the collection of evidence related to a criminal act. Since no crime or suspect was identified in this case, the request for a seizure must be reconsidered accordingly… The prior decision allowing searches and seizure in the Federation of Abkhaz Associations (AbhazFed) office in Kadıköy is annulled. If any materials have been seized during the searches that are directly linked to a crime, a new court decision must be obtained within the legal timeframe, clearly specifying the crime in question."

This court ruling explicitly established that diaspora voting by Abkhazian citizens through polling or surveys does not constitute a crime. Furthermore, nowhere in Turkish law is it stated that official permission or approval from authorities is required for such elections to be conducted.

Therefore, legally, diaspora elections can be held in Türkiye without requiring any formal authorisation or approval process.

Despite this legal precedent, the current actions of Turkish authorities contradict the 2014 court ruling, raising concerns that the ban is politically motivated rather than legally justified.

A Sense of Betrayal Among the Abkhaz Diaspora

The blocking of the Abkhazian elections in Türkiye has sparked outrage and deep disappointment among the Abkhaz diaspora, one of the largest outside Abkhazia itself.

The Abkhazians were forcibly resettled in the Ottoman Empire following the Russo-Caucasian War (which ended in 1864) and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Despite this forced displacement, their descendants have remained loyal to Türkiye, integrating into society, contributing to the country’s development, and serving in the Turkish military and state institutions.

Now, with the elections effectively shut down by Turkish authorities, members of the community feel ignored and betrayed.

"We fought for this country. We were exiled here from the Caucasus, we integrated, and we defended Türkiye whenever it needed us. Yet today, we are treated as if we do not exist," said one community member.

Another member of the diaspora, recalling the devastating earthquake that struck Türkiye in 2023, pointed out that the Abkhazian government had donated $100,000 in aid to Türkiye at the time. The donation was officially accepted through formal channels, further underscoring the long-standing ties between the two nations.

"If you are treating Abkhazia this way now, then why did you officially accept the $100,000 and the containers full of humanitarian aid that were sent to you at the time?" said one community member.

Meanwhile, a different voice emerged from within Abkhazia. Roin Agrba, a historian and war veteran, expressed his outrage on social media, addressing those responsible for blocking the elections:

"To all those responsible (except for the CEC, who fought until the very end), congratulations on your ‘victory’ over our diaspora—over our own compatriots. For the sake of power, you are willing to sever our diaspora from its homeland for decades, perhaps even forever.

What remains there now is practically the last generation of ethnic Abkhaz who can still be preserved as Abkhaz. Yet with your decision, you have not only deprived them of the right to vote and to have a say in the fate of their homeland, but once again, you have sent them into exile.

You have sent them a clear message, that they are unwanted, that they do not belong, that their orientation is different, hostile, and disruptive to the balance.

And now, with a clear conscience, you can sit back and watch the AGTRK [State TV — Ed.] report on an ‘Abkhazian village’ in Türkiye. Hypocrites!"

Journalist Inal Khashig, also commenting on the situation via his social media account, wrote:

"As if, after repeatedly saying the word ‘halva,’ sweetness suddenly filled the mouth.

After a long search for a Turkish influence in the Abkhazian elections, it was the Abkhaz themselves (!)—with the help of the Turkish authorities (!)—who ultimately shut down the polling station in Türkiye."

What Happens Next?

With the polling station in Sakarya officially closed, it is highly unlikely that the Abkhazian elections will take place in Türkiye.

Tomorrow, the Abkhazian Election Commission is set to hold a press conference, where they are expected to address this issue as well.

For now, the Abkhazian diaspora community is left with a deep sense of injustice and disappointment.

As one observer put it:

"I hope I am wrong, but I do not believe anything will change in the coming days..."