The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the detention and subsequent arrest of Irakli Bzhinava, a citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Russian Federation and is taking the necessary measures to clarify the situation with the Russian
authorities.

Bzhinava, a citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia and a Russian citizen too who permanently resides in
Rostov-on-Don, where he taught at a state university.

At the direction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Abkhazia in Rostov-on-Don is in contact with the competent authorities of the Russian Federation.

As the citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia, Irakli Bzhinava and his family members have been offered the necessary consular and legal support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia is committed to providing comprehensive support to any citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia who finds themselves in a difficult legal situation outside the country.

The agency will continue to monitor closely the situation and, within the framework of existing bilateral legal mechanisms will take all necessary measures to obtain reliable information from the Russian side.

We express our readiness to cooperate with the competent authorities of the Russian Federation to establish all the circumstances of the case and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia.