THE LAW OF THE SOVIET SOCIALIST AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA on changes to the Constitution (the Supreme Law) of the Abkhaz ASSR

The Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR decrees:

To introduce the following changes to the Constitution of the Abkhaz ASSR:

1. To word article 143 as follows:

(…)

The judges of district (city) courts of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be appointed by the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR upon nomination of the Ministry of Justice of the Abkhaz ASSR and with consent of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Georgia, for 10-year term in office.

III. To add to article 144 parts 3,4,5 and 6 of the following wording:

(…)

The chairman of the Supreme Court of the Abkhaz SSR and his/her deputies shall be elected by the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR, for 10-year term in office. The members of the Supreme Court of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be elected by the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR upon nomination of the chairman of the Supreme Court and with the consent of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Georgia, for 10-year term in office. The lay-judges of the Supreme Court of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be elected for 5-year term in office.

(…)

Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR V. Ardzinba

Sukhumi, 28 February 1991

(Newspaper “Abkhazetis Khma” /Voice of Abkhazia/, # 59, 4 April 1991)