Former leader of Georgia's break-away Abkhazia region dies

Ardzinba, who would have turned 65 in May, was a leading figure in Abkhaz secessionist movement in early 90s.

He was elected as Abkhazia’s de facto president in 1994 by the local parliament after the Georgian troops were forced to withdraw from the region; he was re-elected in uncontested direct elections in 1999.

His health deteriorated in 2003, which made him to spend most of his time in Moscow clinics. He, however, served his full term in office till February, 2005.

Ardzinba was hospitalized in Moscow Central Clinical Hospital on February 26.


/Civil.ge/