What is happening in Gali?

Image removed.Inguri bridge. Photo © "Liberali"

Geronti Kalichava

"Gali Region is on the territory of Abkhazia, our citizens live there and it is our duty to create normal living conditions for them and protect their security," - stated Sergei Baghapsh, President of de facto Republic of Abkhazia, on a specially conviened meeting of the Security Council.

It has been several weeks that the situation in Gali has aggravated. The inhabitants of the villages - Saberio and Dikhazurga - say that some houses were burnt and several people arrested in their villages. Baghapsh accused the Georgian side in provocations. "If the Georgian side does not stop organizing sabotages, we shall have to take adequate measures," - stated Baghapsh. His words were perceived by many Georgians living Gali as a threat of expelling Georgians from the region.

The Georgian media has spread the information that the reason for disturbances had become the disagreement between Russian militaries and Abkhazian frontier-guards. On June 1, unknown people started fire at the car of Abkhazian customs officers, one officer died and two - were injured. On June 3, Dimitri Katsia - Head of village Repi Administration (Gali Region) - was shot in his car. Both incidents took place in villages Saberio and Dikhazurga. And exactly after it, houses of 5 Georgians were burnt in the villages. As Beslan Arshba, Head of Gali Administration - says relatives of the injured invaded the villages and revenged by attacking the local population.

Liberali contacted a lady of 57 living in village Saberio by mobile phone. She said that the night of June 7, the villagers spent in the forest. "We are in constant panic. Two days ago, Russian militaries came to my house and enquired after my citizenship. I replied that I was a citizen of Abkhazia! Then they asked to show them the passport. I did not have an Abkhazian passport, so I showed them my Georgian ID card. You would not be able to go to Georgia - they said and threw my ID away. When Abkhazians were in the village, we felt much comfortable. They helped us when we needed. The Russians can understand nothing."

The villagers say that in the beginning of June, additional life-force was stationed at the Russian blockpost existing near Saberio-Pakhulani border - "they admit nobody to Tsalenjikha. One must have an Abkhazian passport. Therefore, we secretely enter the territory using by-passes. If one is caught in Gali, he is fined by the court. If you cannot pay, you are arrested and are injaled for months."

In Abkhazia-Samegrelo woods, the pathes the so-called by-passes have existed before the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict. Today, these pathes have become the main-road and are used by tens of people everyday to enter Samegrelo. The Georgians living in Gali say that after arrival of Russian militaries, the movement on these pathes has become more difficult.

"It is a war between Abkhazians and Russians for obtaining supreme influence in the region," - says Tornike Kilanava, Head of Abkhazian Government in exile stationed in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.

The terminology used in the article belongs to the author only and not to “The Liberal”.

The article has been prepared with the support of Heinrich Boell Foundation. The views and opinions expressed in the publication do not necessarily reflect those of Heinrich Boell Foundation.