Gennady Gagulia, Raul Khajimba and Beslan Bartsits. Photo: abkhazinform.com

Raul Khajimba, the Moscow-backed leader of Abkhazia, appointed yesterday Gennady Gagulia as the head of the region’s 12-member “cabinet of ministers,” replacing Beslan Bartsits, who served at the post from August 2016.

Introducing the new head to the “cabinet of ministers” today, Khajimba said the replacement was part “a working process.” “The cabinet will carry on its work, and the questions that we are facing will need to be addressed [in due time],” he noted. 

Gennady Gagulia (b. 1948, Gudauta) worked as the head of the region’s chamber of commerce from 2005. He led the Abkhaz “cabinet of ministers’ twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.