Russia accused on March 12 Georgia’s central authorities of attempts “to overthrow legal leadership of the Adjara Autonomous Republic.” Earlier on same day Mikheil Saakashvili said he has been assured by Moscow that it would not interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs.

Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing concern over the increased tension between the central authorities of Georgia and the leadership of its Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The statement reads that Tbilisi trains its law enforcement agencies and organizes protest rallies in Batumi, Adjarian capital, “to overthrow the legal authorities in Adjara.”

“The tension between the central authorities of Georgia and the leadership of the Adjara Autonomous Republic increased recently and became rather dangerous,” the Russian Foreign Ministry statement reads.
 
“Of course, such development of events causes our concern. Our position is solution of all disputable issues regarding Adjara exclusively in a peaceful way, through a political dialogue within the constitution. Setting ultimatums and threatening will only trigger chaos and civil strife,” a statement issued on March 12 reads.

The Russian Foreign Minister called on the central authorities to avoid irresponsible actions, which may trigger the most serious consequences for stability in Georgia and in the region, as a whole.

Over 80 Russian soldiers arrived today Adjarian capital Batumi, where one of the Russian military bases is deployed. The Russian militaries explained dispatching of troops is caused by rotation in the military unit.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters today, while commenting the report that he is “sure Russia will not take steps against Georgia.” 

“[During the visit to Russia last month] I received all the necessary guarantees from Moscow that Russia will not interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs,” Saakashvili told reporters on March 12.

This is a second time this year, when Moscow officially backs Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze. Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 20 condemning “extremist-minded forces,” hinting on opposition movement in Adjara, which try to force Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to resign.

War of words between Batumi and Tbilisi started earlier this month, when President Saakashvili vowed on March 5 to gain control over the Autonomous Republic. Earlier Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze expressed concern that Tbilisi seeks for “total control” over Adjara.

“Yes, I want [to control region] and I will take control over Adjara. Times when the central authorities were unable to control Autonomous Republic have gone,” Saakashvili told reporters.

Later President Saakashvili demanded from the Autonomous Republic to disband it Security Ministry. “There is no need in two security services in one country,” he said. However, Aslan Abashidze defied Tbilisi’s order.

Meanwhile, assaults on opposition activists in Adjara continue. In the wake of violent attack on Rustavi 2 journalists in Batumi, an opposition activist was kidnapped by unknown men. Four days later, on March 10, Tengiz Apkhazava, chief of the Batumi office of the opposition movement Democratic Adjara, was found severely beaten near his apartment.

Activist of another opposition movement Our Adjara was arrested in Batumi on March 11 and accused of illegal possessing of firearms. However, relatives of the detainee denied accusation and claimed arrest was politically-motivated.

Tensions in Adjara might further increase next week, as the opposition movement Our Adjara intends to start a pre-election campaign in Adjara on the eve of the March 28 parliamentary polls.

The Our Adjara movement also intends to hold a protest rally in Batumi on March 16. Previous rallies of the opposition movements in Adjara were violently raided by the local authorities and supporters of Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.