Abkhaz Journalist Inal Khashig Declared a ‘Foreign Agent’ by Russia
Inal Khashig, a distinguished Abkhaz journalist and political analyst.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — The Russian Ministry of Justice has officially designated prominent Abkhaz journalist and political analyst Inal Khashig as a “foreign agent,” a move that has sparked reactions both within Abkhazia and abroad.
Khashig, the founder and editor-in-chief of the influential newspaper Chegemskaya Pravda, has been a leading voice in Abkhazian media and political analysis for decades. His designation as a “foreign agent” has raised concerns about press freedom and the broader implications for Abkhazian journalists and civil society.
Khashig’s Response to His Designation
Commenting on the Russian Ministry of Justice’s decision, Inal Khashig stated:
“The Russian Ministry of Justice has declared me a foreign agent. Honestly, I don’t even know how to react. My writings have always focused exclusively on Abkhazian topics. I have no idea what suddenly displeased Russia’s Ministry of Justice.”
He further elaborated on the Ministry’s justification for its decision:
“Their statement reads: ‘I.N. Khashig has disseminated inaccurate information regarding decisions and policies enacted by Russian public authorities, as well as their electoral system, and interacted with foreign political figures.’ From this jumble of words, I gather that speaking about Abkhazia’s sovereignty has now become criminalised.”
Despite the designation, Khashig remains resolute in his work:
“This designation will hardly affect my professional work. I will continue to write and speak about Abkhazia, the events taking place within it, and around it, just as I always have.”
He also expressed gratitude for the support he has received:
“I’ve received many calls and messages of support from friends, acquaintances, and even people I’ve never met before. My heartfelt thanks to everyone. I am deeply touched.”
Public and Political Reactions
The decision to label Khashig a “foreign agent” has been met with criticism on social media. One commentator wrote:
“If those who work for the good and happiness of the Abkhaz people are officially declared agents by Russia, then instead of singling out a few individuals, they might as well declare all of Abkhazia as foreign agents.”
Additionally, DNews Abkhazia Telegram channel reacted by stating:
“Inal Khashig is number one! ✊🏻
The Russian state has recognised journalist Inal Khashig as a foreign agent.
This is how Badra Gunba’s presidency begins.”
Aslan Kobakhia, a Hero of Abkhazia, also commented on Khashig’s designation, attributing it to internal actors rather than external forces:
“Everything being done against Abkhazians is the work of fellow Abkhazians who cannot rest until they have reported someone. Let me remind you of the tragic lessons from recent history: in 1937, people who were denounced were executed, and by 1938, those who did the denouncing were themselves executed.”
Kobakhia also questioned Abkhazia’s ability to influence such decisions:
“Russia and Abkhazia are strategic partners, each with their own law enforcement agencies. If any of our citizens act contrary to our bilateral relationship, it is the Abkhaz authorities who should hold them accountable. Instead, our people are being labelled as foreign agents, deprived of passports from a friendly state, and banned from entering the Russian Federation. This seems to be just the beginning, and worse may follow.”
“If we are truly a responsible state, we must investigate every such incident ourselves and inform the Abkhaz public about our findings. To claim that it is solely Russia’s decision and that we cannot influence the situation is simply untrue.”
The coming weeks will determine whether Abkhazia’s leadership takes a stance on this issue or continues to treat it as an external matter beyond its control.
What is happening to Inal Khashig is unjust and represents a troubling development for independent journalism.
AbkhazWorld stands in full support of Inal Khashig and reaffirms its commitment to press freedom and the right to independent reporting.
Who is Inal Khashig?
Inal Khashig was born in 1968 in Sukhum, Abkhazia. A distinguished journalist and political analyst, he has been a prominent figure in Abkhazian media for decades.
In 1993, he graduated from the Faculty of History at Moscow State University. He began his career as a correspondent and later became the deputy director of the state news agency Apsnypress. Over the years, Khashig has collaborated with major international media, including BBC, Echo of the Caucasus and JAM News Caucasus.
In 2000, with the support of the BBC and the British non-profit Conciliation Resources, Khashig produced a series of radio reports titled "Neither War nor Peace", documenting post-war life in Abkhazian and Georgian societies.
Between 2002 and 2004, he served as co-editor of the Caucasian newspaper Panorama. In 2004, he founded Chegemskaya Pravda, an independent newspaper, where he continues to serve as editor-in-chief.
Khashig has also participated in several Georgian-Abkhazian peacebuilding dialogues at the civil society level.
Below are some of Inal Khashig’s articles published on AbkhazWorld:
+ In the New Realities Georgia and Abkhazia Need Peace, by Inal Khashig
+ Lesson to the West: Abkhazian independence is a fact, by Inal Khashig
+ "Saakashvili wanted to begin with Abkhazia" - Opinion on the August 2008 War, by Inal Khashig
+ Abkhazia dependent and independent - Interview with Inal Kashig
+ An attack on sovereignty, by Inal Khashig
+ Azhyrnyhwa - the most important holiday of the Abkhazians: Interview with Inal Khashig
+ Abkhazian election: the President is dead, long live the President! By Inal Khashig
+ Starry-eyed Zakareishvili by Inal Khashig