Sun Mar 02 17:12:26 UTC 2025: ## Pro-Russian Candidate Wins Abkhazian Presidential Runoff Amidst Tensions
**Sukhum, Abkhazia –** Pro-Russian politician Badra Gunba has been declared the winner of Abkhazia’s presidential runoff election, securing 54.73% of the vote, according to election officials. The election, held amidst heightened tensions over Moscow’s influence in the breakaway Georgian region, saw opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba garner 41.54%.
The victory follows a first round on February 15th that failed to produce a majority winner. The election was preceded by months of unrest, including November protests that ousted the previous pro-Kremlin president, Aslan Bzhania, over a controversial Russian investment bill. Mr. Gunba, who served as acting leader following Mr. Bzhania’s removal, visited Moscow for meetings with Russian officials before the first round, a move criticized by his opponent.
Saturday’s runoff was briefly disrupted by masked attackers who stormed a polling station. Russia’s Investigative Committee is now investigating attacks on Russian citizens during the voting process.
The Georgian government denounced the elections as illegal, asserting a violation of its sovereignty over Abkhazia, a region that declared independence after a brief 2008 war with Russia. Most of the international community continues to recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia. The region has a history of displacement, with tens of thousands of Georgians expelled during and after the early 1990s conflict following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba on his victory.
First Piper 