DECREE ISSUED BY THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA on Additional Measures for Regulation the Public Order and Securing the Lawfulness in Abkhazia

The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia notes that against the background of existing public and political situation the criminogenic environment has become complicated.  The crimes become more and more dangerous and take massive character.  The Soldiers of the National Guard that is declared unlawful on the territory of Abkhazia actually carry the firearms.

(…)

The presidium of the Supreme council of the Abkhaz ASSR decrees:

1.   To establish the rule that only law-enforcers of Abkhazia and officers and servicemen of the military unites under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia are authorized to carry firearms on the territory of Abkhazia; the authorization on carrying the gun shall be rendered by the competent authority of Abkhazia.

Other normative acts authorizing to carry firearms, as Identification Cards and Permission on carrying firearms, have no legal effect and shall be considered unlawful on the territory of Abkhazia; such IDs and permissions shall be confiscated and annulled.

2. Law-enforcement agencies of the Republic of Abkhazia (The Procuracy, The Ministry of Interior, State Security Service, formations of the Interior Troops under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia) shall immediately set up the joint activity aimed at seizing of illegal arms from the population and individuals on the territory of Abkhazia.

3. The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Abkhazia and formations of the internal troops under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia shall carry out joint patrol in the public places and streets of the towns and settlements with participation of public representatives in order to secure public tranquillity and order.

Chairman of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia V. Ardzinba

20 January 1992

(Newspaper “Respublika Abkhazia”, # 14, 28 January 1992)