“Today, Irakli Kobakhidze confirmed that gasoline—a product of strategic importance—is being supplied from Georgian territory to Russian-controlled territory in occupied Abkhazia. Consequently, we are apparently dealing with government-pre-authorized actions, the grounds, approval timeline, and justification for which remain unknown to the public,” stated Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change.
Writing on social media, the politician stressed that it is imperative to immediately establish which specific business entity carried out the fuel delivery to Abkhazia, as well as who exactly signed the agreement, when, and under what formal pretext.
“Georgia’s Law on Occupied Territories generally prohibits direct, unauthorized economic activity with Abkhazia and South Ossetia and provides for criminal liability for specific violations. However, the law allows for exceptions—typically for humanitarian purposes and with government permission.
Accordingly, we are apparently dealing with an action authorized in advance by the government, the grounds, approval timeline, and justification for which are unknown to the public.
Given that the Russian war machine is experiencing an acute fuel shortage, and Russian military bases are stationed in occupied Abkhazia; that the Ivanishvili regime, particularly of late, emphatically and deliberately points to the necessity of cooperation with Russia; and that, taking into account Georgia’s security interests and territorial integrity, as well as Western sanctions against Russia, the import of fuel into Russian-controlled territory cannot be considered justified on legal humanitarian or socio-economic grounds, it becomes obvious that the Ivanishvili regime today admitted: with their permission (and essentially by themselves), an action is being carried out that undermines Georgia’s sovereign interests, violates the Constitution of Georgia, breaches Western sanctions against Russia, and aims to assist the Russian war machine through the supply of strategically important products.”
Earlier, media reports surfaced indicating that amid a fuel crisis in Abkhazia, fuel was delivered to the region from territory controlled by the Georgian government. Later, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze confirmed this information, clarifying that the supply was executed by private business, not the government.
