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The News in Brief

Friday, January 26
Abkhaz Opposition to Seek Khajimba’s Resignation

“Our purpose is to create the situation when the head of state voluntarily steps down,” members of “the union of political parties and public organizations of Abkhazia” said during the new entity’s first press conference on January 23.

The union was established earlier in January following protest rallies in response to Russian-backed Sokhumi leader Raul Khajimba’s decision to release prisoner Giorgi Lukava, whom Sokhumi accuses of murder and kidnapping. The union includes Amtsakhara and United Abkhazia opposition parties, as well as several non-government organizations.

“We realize the full seriousness of this demand. We understand what kind of events all this may mean. But such are the circumstances,” said during the press conference a representative of the union - the head of APRA foundation and a member of “Abkhazia parliament” Aslan Bzhania. He added that the opposition would seek to achieve Khajimba’s resignation “only through legal means.”

United Abkhazia party leader, Sergey Shamba said at the press conference that “the president demands adherence to the law, but breaks it himself. At the same time, the representatives of the authorities move around the country and justify president’s actions. They cling to power with all their strength.”

Opposition members accuse Khajimba of breaking the law by his order to release Lukava. The “parliamentary commission” created to review the legitimacy of Lukava’s release deferred the final decision to the “constitutional court,” although the latter has not started to function yet.

Raul Khajimba has visited several districts of Abkhazia since January 16, meeting with local supporters and reiterating his position that he had the right to order Lukava’s release. (civil.ge)



Microsoft to help Georgia implement educational projects

The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli continues his official visit to London with his colleagues and representatives of the field of education.

This time, the Minister met with the representatives of Microsoft; the parties discussed the introduction of modern technologies, specifically, Microsoft's virtual games and programs, in general education, which will make the learning process effective and interesting.

Educational games and programs will enable students to learn the scientific subjects and, at the same time, develop skills, such as teamwork, creative thinking, etc, that are necessary for life.

During the bilateral meeting, Microsoft officials also focused on the experience accumulated in the field of teacher training and pledged to support the Ministry in implementing various projects.

As a result of the meeting, it was decided that one of the most popular educational resources of Microsoft would become available to students in the nearest future. (pia.ge)



Dagestan’s social activist alleges he will be in danger in case of extradition to Russia

According to Dagestan’s social activist Mikail Kadiev, in case of his extradition to Russia, he will be in danger. As Kadiev told journalists at the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Refugees and Accommodation of Georgia, the Ministry refused to grant him an asylum in Georgia because he had committed a crime act in Russia, which he claims is not true.

Mikail Kadiev talked about the human rights violations in Russia and recalled the events that have taken place in the last four years.

"The Ministry of Refugees refused to grant me the status and now my passport has been canceled. They say there is no political persecution in Russia. You can just open the internet and see what has happened there in the last two weeks. In Chechnya, Grozny, drugs were planted on the head of the human rights organization. Fire was set to the human rights defender's car in Dagestan three days ago, as well as to the office of the human rights organization Memorial in Ingushetia. That's just what has happened in a month. 23 journalists have been killed in North Caucasus for the last three years. I think I have proven that there is political persecution in Russia. Secondly, they say that Russia accuses me of crime. According to them, the deputy prosecutor general of Russia stated that I have connection with crime. I would like to quote his words about me - "When your troops entered Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he called you forces terrorists." I do not say so. I recognize that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are your territories. As for my case, I have 14 witnesses who confirm my whereabouts. The murder took place in Moscow, while I was in Dagestan," Kadiev said. (IPN)