A mourning ceremony was on Tuesday in the capital of Abkhazia in connection with the funeral of the first president of the republic Vladislav Ardzinba, reports Yuga.ru.
Ardzinba died aged 64 on March 4 in a Moscow hospital after a protracted illness. After the civil funeral rites on March 5, which took place in the cultural center of the Armed Forces of Russia in Moscow, the body of the former president was delivered to Abkhazia. On the news of his death, all celebrations and sporting contests in the republic were canceled.
Flags with mourning ribbons were lowered to half-staff on the buildings of all public institutions and agencies, and photos of Ardzinba were displayed in the lobbies. On March 7, Abkhazia declared three days of national mourning.
Ardzinba will be buried in his native village, Esher, as the former Abkhazian leader himself requested.
Abkhazia bids final farewell to republic’s first president
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