Spartak Zhidkov, member of the Abkhazian media club “Aynar,” Abkhazia. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Yesterday the first secretary of embassy of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Vishernev, was killed in the capital of Abkhazia. His murder came on the fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Abkhazia. This fact confirms that the murder was a political act.
The crime took place near the diplomat’s house and it was absolutely clear that this was an assassination. The notion that it could have been caused by a personal conflict between the diplomat and local criminals is also impossible – none of Abkhaz criminals would decide to murder a Russian embassy employee to rob him or to get revenge on him. The involvement of Georgian special services is doubtful. First of all, Georgian sabotages are very rare these years. Secondly, considering firmness of Russian-Abkhazian contacts, the crime wouldn’t give anything to the Georgian side. Thirdly, Tbilisi is too busy with its election campaign.
The murder was a contract killing and was prepared by certain people, while the political context can explain reasons for it.
The current year is very successful for development of Russian-Abkhazian relations. The recent meetings between Abkhaz President and the vice-premier Alexander Khloponin on July 9th and Vladimir Putin on August 15th and 25th clarified many important issues and improved Russian-Abkhazian cooperation and the political status of Alexander Ankvab. The most important talk took place on August 15th in Pitsunda: representatives of the Russian leadership have never met Abkhaz leaders in such a wide format. It seems today, five years after recognition of Abkhazia’s independence, there is an opportunity to solve the most difficult questions and found Russian-Abkhazian integration.
Relations between Russia and Abkhazia were cloudless even in the official sphere. August 26th – the fifth anniversary of recognition of the republic by Moscow; September 30th – the 20th anniversary of victory of the Abkhaz army in the war for independence. Festive arrangements in August and September 2013 had to improve political positions of Abkhaz President and confirm successful development of Russian-Abkhazian cooperation.
In this situation the forces which resist Abkhaz President and Russian influence in Abkhazia had to take a radical step to show leaders of the both countries that not everything depends on good will of Moscow and Sukhumi.
It seems that there have been no such murders before, but it is not so. It is notable that the crime took place in two days before September 11 – the 18th anniversary on the other political murder which is directly connected with Russian-Abkhaz relations. On the day the vice-premier of Abkhazia Yuri Voronov was killed. Well-known politician and supporter of Russia, Voronov had a lot of contacts in Moscow, and the late president of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh recommended the Abkhaz authorities to appoint Voronov to the position of the vice-president of the republic. It seemed opponents of Russian influence decided that Voronov’s uplift was too dangerous.
On January 24, 1997, a member of the parliament Anatoly Kakubava was killed in Sukhumi; on August 15, 2000, - social activist Zurab Achba; on June 9th, 2004, - Garri Ayba, one of leaders of Amtsakhara Movement (today it is the party which supports President Ankvab). The murders were always committed, when the internal political situation was difficult, and the society was always told that Tbilisi was guilty in everything. There was a series of attempts on Ankvab’s life.
Thus, the murder of the Russian diplomat is another ring in the long chain of murders which have been regularly committed in Abkhazia in previous years. The murder of Dmitry Vishernev is a challenge to Vladimir Putin and Alexander Ankvab. What their response will be is unclear, considering the complicated international situation, but it will probably take place.
