RESOLUTION OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE ABKHAZ ASSR on announcing the state of emergency in the cities of Sukhumi, Ochamchira and in Gulripshi District with observing the curfew

The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR notes that interethnic relations has extremely exacerbated due to the unlawful creation of Georgian branch of Tbilisi State University on the basis of Sukhumi State University. On 15-16 July of the current year there were clashes between considerable number of citizens of Abkhaz and Georgian origin that resulted in casualties – 6 people died, 12 got heavy injuries, 178 applied for medical assistance, 105 people are hospitalized.

The confrontation between large groups of population has rapidly got an increased character. They are using firearms and cold steels, also other means against opposing sides. There is a real threat to the security of citizens living in the territory of the cities of Sukhumi, Ochamchira and in Gulripshi District, including a great number of tourists and holiday-makers.

In order to ensure the protection of the citizens the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR decrees:

To ask to the presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR to introduce the state of emergency with observing the curfew in the cities of Sukhumi, Ochamchira and in Gulripshi District.

Chairman of the Presidium

of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR V. Kobakhia

Secretary of the Presidium

of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR Y. Kvitsinia

Sukhumi, 16 July 1989

(The important era in the history of Abkhazia. Documents and Mareials. Compiler and author of the foreword academician B. E. Sagaria. Sukhum, 2002, p. 45-46 /in Russian)