Jump to content

2024 Parliament of Abkhazia shooting

Coordinates: 43°00′03″N 41°01′41″E / 43.0007906°N 41.0280789°E / 43.0007906; 41.0280789
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2024 Parliament of Abkhazia shooting
Map
LocationPeople's Assembly of Abkhazia, Sukhumi, Abkhazia, Georgia
Coordinates43°00′03″N 41°01′41″E / 43.0007906°N 41.0280789°E / 43.0007906; 41.0280789
Date19 December 2024
Attack type
Shooting
WeaponsPistol
Deaths1
Injured1
AccusedAdgur Kharazia

On the morning of 19 December 2024, Adgur Kharazia, MP and former mayor of the Abkhazian capital of Sukhumi, allegedly opened fire on his political rivals inside the People's Assembly of Abkhazia, killing lawmaker Vakhtang Golandzia and injuring another, Kan Kvarchia, before fleeing the scene.[1][2][3]

Background

[edit]

Kharazia was detained in 2020, suspected of injuring an administrative official.[4] Electricity shortages in Abkhazia have been exacerbated by cryptocurrency mining, the cut of financial aid from Russia, and low water levels forcing an emergency shutdown at the Enguri Dam.[5][6][7] In November, mass protests caused after the arrest of five opposition activists who are against an investment agreement with Russia begin and led to Abkhaz President Aslan Bzhania's resignation.[1]

Shooting

[edit]

According to the Interior Ministry, on the day of the shooting, the People's Assembly was debating a bill on whether to ban cryptocurrency mining in Abkhazia, which led to an argument between Kharazia and Kvarchia. Kharazia argued for a ban, while Kvarchia opposed, saying such a move would be bowing to populism. Golandzia attempted to mediate the situation, but Kharazia fatally shot Golandzia in the head.[8] A short time later, Kharazia injured Kvarchia's arm and fled the scene.[2]

Aftermath

[edit]

Acting president Badra Gunba called a meeting of the Security Council and visited the Republican Hospital.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Lawmaker shot dead in parliament in breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia". Al Jazeera. 19 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Abkhaz Lawmaker Gunned Down Outside Parliament Building". The Moscow Times. 19 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Lawmaker in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia shot dead at parliament". Al Arabiya. 19 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Lawmaker Shot Dead In Parliament Of Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia". RFE/RL.
  5. ^ "Abkhazia Loses Electricity as Russian Support Dwindles". The Moscow Times. 11 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Abkhazia Appeals for Free Russian Electricity Supplies Amid Rolling Blackouts". The Moscow Times. 18 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Abkhazia's leader warns of 'humanitarian catastrophe' amid energy shortages". Reuters. 21 December 2024.
  8. ^ "MP opens fire in Abkhazian Parliament, killing fellow MP". OC Media. 20 December 2024.
  9. ^ World, Abkhaz (19 December 2024). "Security Council Convened After Shooting in Parliament". Abkhaz World.


Stub icon

This crime-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This article related to the politics of Abkhazia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2024_Parliament_of_Abkhazia_shooting&oldid=1265278925"