Moscow will mourn the death of Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh at the
Cultural Center of the Russian Armed Forces at 2 Suvorovskaya Square
today from 11.00 to 16.00, RIA Novosti reports.
Bagapsh died in Moscow on Sunday, aged 62, after lung surgery.
Abkhaz Prime Minister Sergey Shamba arrived in Moscow. He said that
the process will last several hours.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev plans to attend the mourning
personally. He sent his condolences to Abkhaz Vice-Premier Alexander
Ankvab. In his letter, Medvedev underlined the contribution of Bagapsh
to strengthening the independence of the republic and improving
socio-economic development.
Abkhazia became an independent state when Bagapsh was in power.
Medvedev recognized Abkhaz independence on August 26, 2008.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent his condolences as well,
calling Bagapsh a true patriot of his country.
Vice-President Ankvab will be the acting president until early
elections. He headed the state commission for organizing the funeral.
Bagapsh will be taken to Sukhumi's Vladislav Ardzinba Airport in the
evening. The funeral will be held on June 2. Until then, Bagapsh’s
body will be at his apartment at 9 Chachba Street in Sukhumi. A
mourning ceremony will be held at the Abkhaz State Philharmonic
center. Bagapsh will be buried in his home village of Dzhgerda in the
Ochamchirsky District, where his parents lie.
Ankvab ordered the heads of districts and ministries to cancel events
and visits, and for law-enforcers to operate in an intensified regime
and improve border protection.
