Regional * Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said he ‘respects’ China’s ‘specific reasons’ for abstaining from UN votes on the annual resolution concerning IDPs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He added that China ‘firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’. Armenia * US president Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his ‘decisive victory’ in the elections.

Regional * In Gagra, Abkhazia, a tourist from Sochi has apologised after wearing a hat showing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as a part of Georgia with a Georgian flag. The woman stated that she did not intend any political commentary, adding ‘On the contrary, I recognise that Abkhazia is a sovereign, independent state. I vacation here about 10 times a year, and I really appreciate the warmth and hospitality of this city.

Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali /South Ossetia. Sokhumi Abkhazia Proposes Stricter “Election” Rules and Ban on Foreign Involvement De facto MPs are considering sweeping “amendments” to the “constitutional law” governing so-called parliamentary elections. The proposed amendments were unanimously approved by …

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on June 4 supporting the right of return for displaced persons and refugees from Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, receiving 107 votes in favor. The vote count remained consistent with the previous year, indicating stable international diplomatic positioning on the long-standing territorial dispute.

Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations. Sokhumi Abkhaz ‘Opposition’ Leader Sentenced in Russia Kan Kvarchia, an Abkhaz opposition leader and the main defendant in the so-called “political technologists case,” has been sentenced in absentia by a Russian court to 10 years …