Putin Arrives In Abkhazia To Pay Last Respects To Bagapsh

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin today made an unannounced visit to the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia to attend the farewell ceremony of its leader Sergei Bagapsh.

During his visit, Putin is also expected meet with Abkhazia’s acting President Alexander Ankvab and Prime Minister Sergei Shamba.

Bagapsh, who had been leader of Abkhazia since 2005, died at a Moscow clinic on May 29 after undergoing a lung operation. He was 62.

He is to be buried in his family village of Dzhgerda. Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states after a brief war with Georgia in August 2008.

compiled from agency reports

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