Court of Appeal overturns Ardzinba's arrest

The court in Adler has ruled to release Adgur Ardzinba, an Abkhaz oppositionist, from custody. The decision was made amid an intention to hold a public meeting in support of the politician.

The appellate court session has decided to terminate Adgur Ardzinba's administrative arrest. The petition for release was granted in full, the “Respublika” outlet has reported today.

Adgur Ardzinba will be released from custody on June 24 at 6:15 p.m. Moscow time, the report says.

According to the report placed in the website of the Adler Court, the appeal against Adgur’s arrest was filed with the court on June 23.

Let us note here that on June 23, the Telegram channels "ChP Abkhazia" and "Sukhum on Air" posted reports that, on the instructions of the President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, local authorities sent an appeal to the Russian side with a request to consider the possibility of releasing Ardzinba from custody. "The President is personally monitoring the situation," the report says. This information has not been officially confirmed.

Also, the Telegram channels "DNews Abkhazia" and "Respublika" announced for today’s evening "a public rally with the participation of activists of political and public organizations" in connection with Ardzinba’s arrest. However, because of the sitting of the appellate instance, the rally was postponed. "A decision was made to postpone the planned public rally; the date and time of the new one will be announced additionally," the report reads.

"The detention of Adgur Ardzinba has confirmed the fact that neither he nor his associates have deviated from the chosen course, the course against the ill-fated investment bill and apartments. Yes, Adgur Ardzinba is not an ordinary citizen; he is the leader of 41.5% of Abkhazia's citizens. And whoever accuses him of wrongdoing, well, let him throw the first stone at him, who is sinless," Beiya Said, an activist, has commented in his Telegram page.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 24, 2025 at 12:58 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.