Garri Aiba

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Garri Aiba was an opposition leader in the de facto independent (though internationally unrecognized) Republic of Abkhazia at the time of his murder. He died when his car came under fire on June 9, 2004.^[1]

[edit] History

Aiba was a veteran of the war with Georgia and a prominent businessman. He became one of the leaders of the Amtsakhara movement, which was the main opposition of the government of President Vladislav Ardzinba at that time in power.

On June 9, 2004, Aiba's car came under fire, fifty metres from his home in Sukhumi. He got out of the car in an attempt to protect his ten-year old daughter, but was seriously injured, and died later that day in hospital. His death sent shockwaves through Abkhaz politics. Many people claimed that the killing was politically motivated and as such, it initially sparked the resignations of several prominent ministers, including foreign minister (and fellow Amtsakhara leader) Sergey Shamba, interior minister Abessalom Beiya and Givi Agrba, head of the security services. However, Shamba later denied that his resignation was related to Aiba's death, and Prime Minister Raul Khadjimba refused to accept the resignations of Beiya and Agrba.^[2]

No one has yet been charged with Aiba's murder. Former opposition leader Sergei Bagapsh has since become president.