Georgia: Breakaway Abkhazia official beaten in 'symptomatic' attack
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgia: Breakaway Abkhazia official beaten in 'symptomatic' attack, 16 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea8bce.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 16, 2014
The president of Georgia's breakaway, Russian-backed Abkhazia region summoned his security council on November 16 after the so-called prime minister of the rebel province was beaten up by attackers in the center of its main city.
The de facto government's interior minister said two men used a car to block Beslan Butba's Mercedes on a Sukhumi street on November 15 and then attacked him.
Butba was traveling with his wife and children and without bodyguards. He suffered a concussion.
De facto President Raul Khajimba said the attack was "symptomatic" of lawlessness in the Black Sea province and demanded law enforcement agencies "immediately use all resources to establish order."
Khajimba was elected in August after Aleksandr Ankvab resigned on June 1 following days of political upheaval.
The attack on Butba came on the same day that more than 30,000 people rallied in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, in part to voice concern over a proposed treaty between Moscow and Sukhumi that would strengthen Russia's control over Abkhazia and provide for the creation of joint Russian and Abkhazian military forces.
Based on reporting by civil.ge, Interfax, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
