SUKHUMI. Nov 15 (Interfax-AVN) - The Abkhaz Defense Ministry troops have been put on alert, said Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba.
Speaking at a press conference in Sukhumi early on November 13, Khashba said, however, that the troops are still staying in barracks.
Asked if the Abkhaz leadership might declare a state of emergency, Khashba said this is issue under consideration. He pointed out that a state of emergency can be imposed only by incumbent President Vladislav Ardzinba.
Khashba blamed the organizers of Friday rallies in Sukhumi for disorder that followed them, in which prominent Abkhaz researcher Tamara Shakryl was killed.
"There were two rallies, and I'd like to emphasize that they were sanctioned, and all responsibility for what has happened lies with those who organized those rallies," the premier said.
"The government tried not to judge the events that had happened since the presidential elections in Abkhazia on October 3. We were doing all we could to prevent clashes between people. But such tragedy has happened today," he said.
Khashba said he had hosted a meeting with the Cabinet members and heads of law enforcement and security agencies late on November 12. "The authorities are acting. The fact that we have left our offices does not mean we are not working," he said.
Asked if he is going to return to his office on Monday, the Abkhaz premier said he will not do so "as long as those who seized it by force stay there."
Commenting on Russia's position on the latest events in Abkhazia, Khashba said the Russian leadership is concerned over them because a lot of Russian citizens reside in that self-proclaimed republic.