The opposition in Georgia called the shipment of fuel to Abkhazia a betrayal.

The head of the Georgian government, Irakli Kobakhidze, today confirmed the shipment of gasoline to the region by a private company against the backdrop of a severe fuel crisis in Abkhazia. The opposition called this fact contrary to the sovereign interests of Georgia.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", gasoline is only available in sufficient quantities at some gas stations in Abkhazia. Due to fuel shortages at other gas stations, drivers have to wait in line for hours.

As the head of the government explained today at a briefing, gasoline for the population of occupied Abkhazia was delivered from Tbilisi by private companies in accordance with the "Law on Occupation". He also added that to alleviate the situation of the population living in Abkhazia, gasoline supplies will continue whenever possible in the future, reports the Pirveli television company.

"In general, such actions are permitted by our current legislative framework, including the 'Law on Occupation'. If any similar step is taken and approved, all such steps will be approved within the framework of the 'Law on Occupation'. If we can, among other things, alleviate the situation of the population living in Abkhazia, we will do so, but within the framework of this law," Kobakhidze stated.

Confirming the fact of gasoline delivery to Abkhazia, the head of the government emphasized that the delivery was not initiated by the government, but by a private company.

According to the founder of the "Movement for Abkhazia", Nukri Nodia, fuel was delivered from Georgia to Abkhazia via the Inguri Bridge.

"Yesterday, fuel was delivered via the Inguri Bridge to the residents of Abkhazia, but we do not know who exactly supplied the fuel. Information is already coming from the local residents themselves. Abkhazia has always been supplied with fuel from Russia, but today there is a severe shortage of it in Abkhazia. A severe crisis, queues at gas stations," Nukri Nodia said.

The authorities of Abkhazia explained the decision to import gasoline from Georgia as a search for alternative sources

Fuel supplies continue to be carried out from the Russian Federation within the contracted volumes. However, due to the current circumstances, there is not enough automotive fuel for the needs of Abkhazia.

In this regard, a decision was made regarding the possibility of fuel supplies from alternative sources. This was reported to the news agency "Apsnypress" by the government in response to a request to comment on the statement of the Prime Minister of Georgia regarding fuel supplies to Abkhazia.

"Participants in the fuel market managed to find a way to supply gasoline from the territory of Georgia. As is known, in the post-war 90s, supplies were also made from the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia to Georgia," the news agency quotes the statement.

The opposition in Georgia demanded to disclose all the details of the fuel supply deal to Abkhazia

According to opposition politician, former president of the National Bank of Georgia Roman Gotsiridze, the supply of fuel to Abkhazia with the government's permission actually means supplying Russian military bases.

"It is necessary to immediately find out which company and in what quantity imported fuel to Abkhazia, and whether it was used by Russian occupation forces. It is also possible that the fuel was transported to the territory of Russia. This company involved in the betrayal will not escape sanctions," the politician wrote on his Facebook page.

Today, the Ivanishvili regime acknowledged that with its permission, an action was carried out that contradicts the sovereign interests of Georgia and aimed at assisting the Russian military machine - this is how Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the coalition "For Change", reacted to Irakli Kobakhidze's statement.

"The Georgian law 'On Occupied Territories' generally prohibits economic activity with Abkhazia and South Ossetia through unauthorized means and provides for criminal liability for specific violations. However, the law also provides for exceptions, usually for humanitarian purposes and with government permission," Gvaramia writes on his Facebook page.

According to the politician, we are dealing with an action presumably pre-approved by the government. At the same time, the basis and timing of the public consent issuance are unknown.

"It becomes clear that the Ivanishvili regime today acknowledged that with their permission (and, in general, on their part) an action was carried out that contradicts the sovereign interests of Georgia. It is necessary to immediately find out which private commercial enterprise participated in this deal," the politician demanded.