Sokhumi Protesting Against Seizure of Ukrainian Ship by Georgian Sailors

Abkhazian de facto Ministry is protesting against the seizure of a Ukrainian ship by Georgian sailors.

“With the seizure, Georgia is continuing politics of economic isolation. This act contradicts international maritime and humanitarian law and is considered to be an act of aggression,’’ stated the Abkhazia de facto Foreign Department.

Hereby, Sokhumi has “expresse[d] its indignation to the inactivity of international organizations operating in Georgia” and urges the participants of Geneva talks to take measures for suppression of these kinds of acts.

On July 28, border police coastguard officials seized AKKORD, the ship sailing under the Ukrainian flag.

The Georgian side is disputing the violation of the sailing rules in the occupied territory, specifically, the entering into the Abkhazia sea territory. The ship was going to the Poti port from Ukraine. It was carrying wheat. 12 members of the crew are Russian citizens, while the rest are Ukrainians.

Supposedly, the ship will be confiscated and sold in the auction. According to Russian agencies, Armenian Foreign Ministry representatives state, that confiscated wheat will be loaded in carriages and sent to Armenia.