15 August 2009, 14:00
Resident of Abkhazia asks for political asylum in Georgia
Tamaz Lakerbaya, an ethnic Abkhazian, has applied for political asylum in Georgia. He crossed the Georgian-Abkhazian border over the Inguri Bridge and met the head of the government of Abkhazia in exile Giorgiy Baramiya.
Mr Lakerbaya has explained his decision to stay in Georgia by intolerable life in today's Abkhazia and his inability to maintain his family. According to his story, his brother had served in the Abkhazian army and then "was killed under unclear circumstances," as reported by the "New Region" Agency.
"After Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's independence, the situation has changed for the worse. I couldn't maintain my family any more and ran away," said the refugee.
In response to this, Mr Baramiya said that Lakerbaya was and remains a citizen of Georgia. "Abkhazians are our brothers, and any of them who gets to our controlled territory will receive help and support from the government of Georgia," the "Rosbalt" quotes the head of the government of Abkhazia in exile as saying.
