Georgia confirms fuel shipment to Abkhazia amid controversy over Russia link

A Georgian company has confirmed that it supplied around 300
tonnes of petrol to Abkhazia, saying the shipment was carried out
legally under a government-issued authorization to operate in the
region, AzerNEWS reports.

The shipment has sparked controversy in Georgia amid speculation
that Georgian fuel could ultimately have been used to supply
Russian military personnel stationed in Abkhazia.

According to RFE/RL, the petrol was imported by Solidus, whose
permit to operate in Abkhazia was extended for another three months
under a decree signed by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze
on August 11.

The decision has drawn criticism from Georgian opposition
parties and civil society groups, who have questioned the
circumstances surrounding the shipment and the government’s
authorization.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who remains
imprisoned on various charges, also commented on the issue.

Writing on Facebook, Saakashvili claimed that the fuel was
“actually going to the southern regions of Russia,” which he said
were experiencing shortages following Ukrainian strikes.

The allegations regarding the ultimate destination and possible
use of the fuel have not been independently confirmed.

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